Best antivirus for Windows XP?

[Aenra]

I suppose that asking about activation keys and serials is forbidden here, right?

Can only speak about Norton, BitDefender and Kaspersky (all paid, proper versions).
Between the three? Kaspersky, no question.

- The only one out of the three that doesn't flag your Windows "key" (you know, that special one you worked so hard to receive.. legally..). You won't even have to make exceptions or exclusion rules, it's fine on its own.
[on Win10, the other two will auto-delete it, no matter what; tried everything, nothing works. My Win7 is legal, so can't tell you if it will be the same there, for you. Am just letting you know how it works on 10, just in case you have to deal with this in the future. Like i was, lol]

- Faster than either of the other two, checked on same PC, exact same OS install (see specs).

- Cheaper than either of the other two, bought mine for 20 bucks i think? Full year license. (if you're going for the Antivirus version that is; the others cost more. I find the Internet Security version superfluous however, as it only adds stuff i'd disable anyway, but YMMV]

- It does not block pirated games, like the other two dictators do, it does not block cracks; like the other two dictators do.

- Have yet to face any "security" issue and never mind what everyone says about its being "bad".
[had a bad opinion about Kaspersky myself, until i tried it again.. it's improved a LOT; highly recommended far as i'm concerned. Best 20 bucks i've spent this year]

 

[Athlonite]

360 Total Security works for me (XP Pro 32 bit, not 64 bit) I also like 360's os updating method.

https://www.360totalsecurity.com/en/download-free-antivirus/#windows

fwiw, Its a chinese company, , ,

and it's a junk antivirus just like Snorton and Mcstuffies it's easily bypassed and once infected 360 can't get rid of it, something that MBam was able to do in thirty seconds and a reboot

 

[alucasa]

Majority of viruses/malware nowsdays come from unhealthy habit of clicking everything they find interesting on the Internet. So, as long as you watch what you are doing, you will not encounter issues AV or not.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Some people don't understant that in many cases it's not so easy to upgrade your OS to the latest shiniest one and you have to stay with legacy/obsolete OS.

It is not about understanding. By now, everybody understands, in some cases, upgrading is not so easy. But that is not the point.

If sticking with XP only impacted the user, then there would be no problem. But that is not the case. People who stubbornly stick with XP and connect to the Internet are a threat to others. That's the problem. And in this case, it is even worse as the OP has not even applied SP3!

I mean, can you really say it is about money? After all these years? Walmart Refurbished Computers for as little as $150.67 with Windows 10 with 1 year warranties.

And again, there is Linux. What can't you do with Linux? Okay, you can't play games but is that a excuse to put others at risk? No. And besides, the hardware for that old a system is not likely to support any decent current games anyway.

As netizens, we have a responsibility for the safety and security of our fellow netizens. You don't drive with no brakes because you might kill someone else. You don't run stop signs because you might kill someone else. You don't walk around with a loaded gun hanging out of your pocket because you might kill someone else.

NOBODY (that I know of) wants to, or enjoys retiring perfectly good electronics that still meet our needs. But doing so is just a fact of life. How many times have you (speaking to the crowd) retired perfectly good cell phones for a new one? Old CRT monitors for new LCD monitors? Old TVs for new bigger screen models? VCR machines, cassette players, CD players and 8-tracks, and more?

Majority of viruses/malware nowsdays come from unhealthy habit of clicking everything they find interesting on the Internet. So, as long as you watch what you are doing, you will not encounter issues AV or not.

The majority of malware, yes. But that's by no means all malware. And that philosophy of not being "click-happy" (which I totally agree with) depends on keeping our systems current too. Again, in this case, were still talks SP2.

 

[JonathanX]

First of all, I wanna thank all of you for your input. I didn't expect so many replies, so I'm happy you took the time and answered me, and provided suggestions.

Right now I am trying very hard to get a job so that I will be able to afford the kit I mentioned in a previous thread I created here, or a better PC in terms of hardware, and after that I will definitely switch to Windows 7 or 8. The two reasons I haven't already switched to 10 or upgraded my OS in any way is this: about a year ago I decided to try Windows 7, I got the Ultimate Edition and it caused issues wth my sound card. The drivers weren't working, or if they were, there was no way I could get a proper sound. I have this system at home:

and on Windows 7 it simply didn't work, I mean only the two frontal satellites were giving sound, the woofer and the rest were completely silent/mute. I remembered I fiddled with the sound card and with its drivers and settings until I got gray hairs, and I still couldn't make it work. This made me very disappointed and skeptical towards any OS newer than XP - which NEVER gave me such errors.

And the second reason is this: ever since I heard that Windows 10 is spying on everyone using it with the keylogger and whatnot, I got so mad at Microsoft that I avoid Windows 10 like plague. I believe they're doing a truly callous thing by surveilling every move we make when we're online, I would even go as far as claiming they're breaking the law which reffers to the invasion of privacy. I really don't feel comfortable knowing that Bill Gates or Paul Allen or Steve Ballmer or anyone else knows every single website I visit, every game I play, every post I give a like to on facebook, every song I listen on youtube, every key I press on my keyboard, etc. I don't know about them, so who or what gives them the right to know about me? I don't suppose they'd be very thrilled and filled with gratitude towards me if I invented some form of technology which would allow me to know, for instance, the exact date and time when their cocks didn't work, and with which finger they satisfied their wives/girlfriends whenever that happened, am I correct? I don't bump into their private lives, I invite them not to bump into mine. But I cannot do that on Windows 10, they already made their move, and I won't tolerate it. So, all in all, Windows 10 will get nothing but a big middle finger angrily raised towards it from me. And that's the bottom line.

PS: I will try using Windows 8 and I hope it won't give me problems, once I make enough money for a better PC.

 

[Jetster]

Working with sound can be a challenge. Its much more complicated than graphics. Really has nothing to do with the OS XP 7 8 10 are all capable of controlling a descent 5.1. You need the correct software and hardware. A separate AVR is best, followed by a USB DAC, then a nice sound card last. Even most Motherboard can do 5.1 . You just need to know a few tricks and use the correct codex like ffdshow

Here is a thread that may be helpful. https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...olby-digital-live-and-dts-interactive.193148/

As far as 10 and being spied on. Quit listening to rumors

 

[Cvrk]

Malwarebytes used to be good. I used it to many years.
Not anymore.
If you add exclusions , it does not respect them. Ignoring the rules you make . it's inexcusable.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Can still use Eset nod32 Antivirus version 7 and activate purchased licence
Top Antivirus in my opinion

 

[Komshija]

Long ago I used AVG (back then you only had free edition) with Win XP, than Eset NOD 32, than Kaspersky. Current AVG Free is one "nasty" program that will spread into your registry and system files like a plague.

From all AV's I used, Kaspersky proved to be the best, but that was some 10 years ago, so I have no idea how Win XP might work with newer versions.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Malwarebytes used to be good. I used it to many years.
Not anymore.

That was true, but they have worked out the bugs from the 3.x fiasco. It is a good program again.

But, for XP, it requires SP3.

 

[eidairaman1]

Used NOD32 then, Been using Avast.

 

[Cvrk]

Can still use Eset nod32 Antivirus version 7 and activate purchased licence
Top Antivirus in my opinion

Except you can't turn it off. NO way you can click Exit. On Malwarebytes you can , also on kaspersky. If i can't click Exit and it will close EVERYTHING that has to do with the antivirus it's bad. You must have full control over your own software all the times.

Try to install a security suit and see if it's what you like. I mean the free version, and yes most of the times you can't get the Security Internet full stuff in free edition,and add the key at a later time . This is where i turn to torrents.
Yes i am careful with my words. A version of pirated antivirus is a very bad idea. Hence to many things can go wrong by using a crack, it may stop protecting you when you need it the most etc etc.... just to many things can go wrong. But you should kinda test all these expensive softwares before you buy.

For example Avast Internet Security is expensive. If i would know that you can never turn it off, and give all that money....boy i would be extremely disappointed.
Test your software as much as possible , before purchase

 

[StefanM]

As previous speakers said update to SP3.

Also there is the "POSready trick"
This will update the XP kernel to February 9th, 2017.

 

[eidairaman1]

As previous speakers said update to SP3.

Also there is the "POSready trick"
This will update the XP kernel to February 9th, 2017.

SP3 broke some stuff then, so when I did an xp build Id only put in sp2 and then manually update sans sp3.

 

[erocker]

You shouldn't really need one. In no way should you be doing anything on an XP machine that would require any kind of security in the first place. The O/S is unsecure and no longer supported.

 

[JonathanX]

You shouldn't really need one. In no way should you be doing anything on an XP machine that would require any kind of security in the first place. The O/S is unsecure and no longer supported.

Thank you, I thought about that too, because some friends told me that since XP is so outdated, modern viruses and other types of malware and stuff don't even work under XP, so as funny as it sounds, I can't even get infected, like I can't catch a disease from a crocodile, cause biologically it's totally incompatible, scientifically speaking.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Except you can't turn it off. NO way you can click Exit. On Malwarebytes you can , also on kaspersky. If i can't click Exit and it will close EVERYTHING that has to do with the antivirus it's bad. You must have full control over your own software all the times.

Try to install a security suit and see if it's what you like. I mean the free version, and yes most of the times you can't get the Security Internet full stuff in free edition,and add the key at a later time . This is where i turn to torrents.
Yes i am careful with my words. A version of pirated antivirus is a very bad idea. Hence to many things can go wrong by using a crack, it may stop protecting you when you need it the most etc etc.... just to many things can go wrong. But you should kinda test all these expensive softwares before you buy.

For example Avast Internet Security is expensive. If i would know that you can never turn it off, and give all that money....boy i would be extremely disappointed.
Test your software as much as possible , before purchase

Am a Eset Partner , use them mostly
Ive been selling antivirus software for years , Bitdefender,Kaspersky,Eset Partner . I don't see the need to exit the antivirus software completely you could just pause the real time protection .(VIRUS CAN JUST CLOSE THE .EXE ) simply as that
I like to use eset the most Small file size to download(140mb),Good support ,lite on the system resources

Kaspersky is good was selling it previously ,a few issues now and there with compatibility issue , adobe reader ect but newer version solved the issue

Must of done a fair share of 500+ licenced bitdefender installation
Crappy gui since for the last 5 years,used to be nice and simple
So much hassle with bitdefender if you want to install on multipul pc you will need to download and install via web on each pc , no way to download Full installation file. So installing on many pc with slow internet can be a hassel
Had many issues in the past for years , seem fine now but always bitdefender service not responding and need to reinstall the program , can be a fresh install
Had major renew licence issues on 50+ pc from previous year installation, don't even want to go there

Not a fan of free antivirus , seen to many infection in the past when pc scanned with Bitdefender ect (xp days )
Avg

I install a 30 day trail of Eset or Kaspersky then its up to them

 

[Bill_Bright]

Thank you, I thought about that too, because some friends told me that since XP is so outdated, modern viruses and other types of malware and stuff don't even work under XP so as funny as it sounds, I can't even get infected

Well, I am afraid your friend does not have a clue. While it may be true that modern malware written for the later versions of Windows might not "infect" your XP machine that really is a totally ignorant, and dangerous viewpoint. First, malware is still being written for XP because bad guys know there are still millions of hold outs. Second, there is still millions of old malware floating around that does infect XP. And third, as I noted several times already, XP systems can be compromised then used to attack other machines.

So, for example, a piece of malware may invade your system because it is incapable of defending against it. Then instead of actually infecting your computer and corrupting your hard drive, for example, it simply steals your Contacts list and infects all your family and friends who have upgraded. Or it uses your system to send spam, distribute malware, or to participate in DDoS attacks - all without you even realizing you are infected.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Out of curiosity do you have a back up image for this machine in question @JonathanX ??

 

[JonathanX]

@Bill_Bright :

You are also contradicting erocker here, not only my friends, who happen to be software programmers. The reason I started this thread instead of asking them for opinions was that one of them is in Italy right now on a little holiday with his fiancee, so I didn't wanna bother him at a time like this, and the other guy is a Linux expert who quit working with Windows years ago, but he is still into security and related stuff. Besides, more opinions wouldn't hurt, they are always welcome, but when it comes to you, judging after the other things you posted on this thread, I take it that you consider me unwelcome here because I still use XP and that makes me a liability in your eyes. I don't say I must be liked by everyone, I'm perfectly aware that's impossible, but at the same time I don't need a lawyer to realize that it's my legal right to use whatever OS I desire, and without the slightest intention of being arrogant towards you, I honestly think you are too anxious and/or paranoid.

@jboydgolfer :

What kind of backup image do you mean? Like a photo of my PC or what?

 

[alucasa]

.... Obviously backup of the most important stuff: porn.

 

[jboydgolfer]

What kind of backup image do you mean? Like a photo of my PC or what?

No sir, i meant a backup of your OS. JUST in case things go in a "infected" direction (like all these folks have mentioned about the chance of infection etc) i just thought it might be a helpful point to make. XP aside, a backup is something i will always advocate to any user

 

[JonathanX]

No sir, i meant a backup of your OS. JUST in case things go in a "infected" direction (like all these folks have mentioned about the chance of infection etc) i just thought it might be a helpful point to make. XP aside, a backup is something i will always advocate to any user

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you meant. My mistake

Yes, I have my Windows XP on both a CD and a DVD, and I keep all my valuable stuff - movies, music, games, photos, etc - on DVDs. My 500 GB HDD has 2 partitions: one of 20 GB (called C) on which I install the OS, and another one (called D) which is filled with music, games, videoclips, pictures, program kits, etc. If I happen to get infected and I cannot get rid of the virus/trojan,/worm, whatever it is, I simply reinstall Windows, it doesn't affect the data I have on the other partition (D). Luckily for me, it hasn't happened yet for any malware to attack and cause damage to stuff that was on the other partition.

By the way, some people say that only applications or executable files can be infected, while others claim that anything can get infected - mp3 stuff, video files like AVI or mp4, photos, basically anything. What is the truth? Can a virus infect my music or my photos or any other files - like DVDrips?

 

[SnakeDoctor]

=" If I happen to get infected and I cannot get rid of the virus/trojan,/worm, whatever it is, I simply reinstall Windows, it doesn't affect the data I have on the other partition (D). Luckily for me, it hasn't happened yet for any malware to attack and cause damage to stuff that was on the other partition.

I would not think you safe without a Antivirus for Windows Xp , If you get infected by a Crypto ransomeware virus very common it will encrypt all you data -.jpg,doc,exl . Making its very difficult to retrieve your data most the time all data is lost
It will go through all you harddrives ,all networked pc in you home will be infected aswell
You could pay the +500$ to the ransomeware people to unlock your files, but unlikely to get anything back
Suspect email related to crypto ransomeware -Letter from Sars , Appear in Court , Cutstanding fines .Could have .zip attachments once open you buggered
Have seen many cases of this virus in my town ( on Xp )

Best way to solve the issue - Format PC an All Data is Lost Forever

 

[Vayra86]

First of all, I wanna thank all of you for your input. I didn't expect so many replies, so I'm happy you took the time and answered me, and provided suggestions.

Right now I am trying very hard to get a job so that I will be able to afford the kit I mentioned in a previous thread I created here, or a better PC in terms of hardware, and after that I will definitely switch to Windows 7 or 8. The two reasons I haven't already switched to 10 or upgraded my OS in any way is this: about a year ago I decided to try Windows 7, I got the Ultimate Edition and it caused issues wth my sound card. The drivers weren't working, or if they were, there was no way I could get a proper sound. I have this system at home:

and on Windows 7 it simply didn't work, I mean only the two frontal satellites were giving sound, the woofer and the rest were completely silent/mute. I remembered I fiddled with the sound card and with its drivers and settings until I got gray hairs, and I still couldn't make it work. This made me very disappointed and skeptical towards any OS newer than XP - which NEVER gave me such errors.

And the second reason is this: ever since I heard that Windows 10 is spying on everyone using it with the keylogger and whatnot, I got so mad at Microsoft that I avoid Windows 10 like plague. I believe they're doing a truly callous thing by surveilling every move we make when we're online, I would even go as far as claiming they're breaking the law which reffers to the invasion of privacy. I really don't feel comfortable knowing that Bill Gates or Paul Allen or Steve Ballmer or anyone else knows every single website I visit, every game I play, every post I give a like to on facebook, every song I listen on youtube, every key I press on my keyboard, etc. I don't know about them, so who or what gives them the right to know about me? I don't suppose they'd be very thrilled and filled with gratitude towards me if I invented some form of technology which would allow me to know, for instance, the exact date and time when their cocks didn't work, and with which finger they satisfied their wives/girlfriends whenever that happened, am I correct? I don't bump into their private lives, I invite them not to bump into mine. But I cannot do that on Windows 10, they already made their move, and I won't tolerate it. So, all in all, Windows 10 will get nothing but a big middle finger angrily raised towards it from me. And that's the bottom line.

PS: I will try using Windows 8 and I hope it won't give me problems, once I make enough money for a better PC.

You know there are also lots of people that believe in chem trails, pink unicorns, women's thighs and 10000 other oddities. If you want to be one of them, by all means, more power to you.

In the meantime, in the real world, W10 is just fine, 'the spying' really isn't what you think it is, and MS has a pretty damn solid track record when it comes to privacy of its customers. In fact, its track record is SO good, that companies still prefer Windows as the go-to OS and happily migrate their enterprise software towards never versions since XP. Most companies are on W7 right now, and I know for a fact that my employer is soon switching to W10 for the entire workplace. And I'm not a US citizen, I work in the EU, so corporate spying is definitely a consideration. Still, most EU companies use Windows.

Windows has always had an aura of 'tweak it until you drop' surrounding it, but in this day and age, you're much better off to stop fiddling with the OS and let it do its thing. It does things better than you can tweak it in 99% of all cases.

Its the same as with Android: the OS has matured. Back in the early Android days, you'd pop into task manager every ten seconds to close off apps, and today you can keep your phone on years and it'll manage the apps and memory usage better than you ever could.

With regards to your sound system, don't let that hold you back, the problem is not within the OS. When you (if you) upgrade your motherboard, get one with a decent onboard sound chip (most are very decent these days anyway) and keep things as simple as possible, also refer to guides posted earlier to get it to work.

If you really don't want 10, at least get Windows 8.1 so you have extended support for a good while. Its just as solid. Upgrading to 7 in the year 2017 makes zero sense because you'll still be behind the curve.