AstroSkipper

Antimalware, firewall, and other security programs for Windows XP working in 2023 and hopefully beyond I hereby open a new thread on the topic of security programs for Windows XP. I have been thinking about that for a longer time, and then I decided to tackle this project. Windows XP is a very old operating system and a deeper knowledge of how to make it more secure is very important in my opinion. Therefore, I think it makes sense to get an overview of all the security programs still available for Windows XP. The thread "Which Antiviruses are Known for a Fact to be Working on XP SP3 as of 2019?", where I have previously written frequently about antivirus programs, has become rather bloated and confusing due to many informationless posts, is mainly focused on the topic of antivirus programs for Windows XP and has been completely unstructured from the very beginning. It is good to have such a thread full of different information for reference but there are many posts either outdated, incomplete or off-topic. Therefore, I have decided to start a completely different thread from scratch. I deliberately chose the term antimalware in the title of this topic. In these days, most so-called antivirus programs can not only identify computer viruses, but also trojans, worms, rootkits, exploits, spyware, and so on. Generally speaking: a virus is a malware, but a malware is not always a virus. Therefore, malware is a generic term for any malicious software, including viruses. For many years now, the so-called antivirus programs have actually been antimalware programs. In any case, this new topic here is about antimalware, firewall and other security programs for Windows XP. Under the term other security programs, I include among others security suites like internet security and total security, antivirus, antispyware, anti-rootkit, anti-exploit, online and offline scanner, ad blocker, protection layer, virtualization, security check and control programs and so on that make the use of Windows XP safer. And to avoid any misunderstanding, the main focus in this thread is on the concept of security. Those security programs that have been officially classified as insecure or not trustworthy are not the subject of consideration here, of course. Furthermore, many of these security programs can no longer be clearly classified in one of these categories due to their multifunctionality. I therefore define the following categories and their abbreviations: AM+ = Antimalware program with real-time protection AM- = Antimalware program without real-time protection SP = Specialized program (focused on one main antimalware function) IS = Internet Security TS = Total Security ON = Online scanner OF = Offline scanner AB = Ad blocker FW = Firewall VP = Virtualization program PL = Protection layer program SC = Security check program CP = Control program MF = Multifunctional program In addition, for the sake of simplicity, I define the following licence types and their abbreviations, reduced to the essentials: C = Commercial (any payment software including shareware) F = Free D = Donationware O = Open source In the second post of this thread, I will provide and maintain an alphabetical list of working antimalware, firewall, and other security programs for Windows XP which were each presented in a corresponding post here. This list has the following columns: Name, Version, Type, Date and Link. Name means the name of the program, Version means its last/latest version, Type means its license type, Date means its last/latest date of release or creation (in some cases, there is no date of release available anymore) and Link means the link to its corresponding post here in this thread. I will only include programs in this list that receive updates in some form, be it program updates, definition updates or database updates. With the exception, of course, that there are also programs that do not necessarily need such updates. In the third post of this thread, I will create and maintain an alphabetical list of programs that need to be tested for compatibility, features and support or whose installers have been lost and therefore could not be tested. In the fourth post of this thread, I will create an alphabetical list of programs that have recently been abandoned or should be avoided. Some of them should only be used for a while or be avoided due to security reasons. This project is very extensive and involves a lot of work. In-depth research in particular is very time-consuming, but necessary. So be patient, especially if the list of programs fills up slowly! As always: Good things come to those who wait. And just for clarification, I will not check all the programs myself to see if they can be installed properly and work, of course. Here, other members can make a perfect contribution with their knowledge or experiences already made. Furthermore, all the programs I have listed are not necessarily to be understood as recommendations. Basically, they are simply options that are still available for Windows XP. Because we all know that most manufacturers of security software have long since given up on Windows XP. If I personally consider a program to be good, I will express this in its relevant post. More about that here: Any discussions, questions or suggestions about security programs for Windows XP are explicitly welcome. But one thing must be very clear, everything should relate to this topic. Just for clarification, insulting, provocative or completely off-topic posts (especially about operating systems other than Windows XP) will not be tolerated. That means, please stay on topic! This thread is intended to be a well-structured source of information where readers can get ideas on how to make their old Windows XP a bit more secure. If you like this thread, or you find it interesting and helpful, I would appreciate any contribution, be it a comment, a like or an upvote. Thanks for your interest! Windows XP forever! Kind regards, AstroSkipper

Yep! At least, I think so.

I think @D.Draker actually meant @UCyborg but he mixed it up a bit as @UCyborg is from Slovenia. Yep, that's why I am on the sunny side of the street. The motherboard of my old computer is from 2000. Therefore, no problems here to use all old DOS tools. It must be an advantage to be a dinosaur for once. By the way, HDAT2 has always been part of my emergency collection of CDs/DVDs.

No, unfortunately not. I always use the forum search to find a program I am looking for here in this thread. The problem with such a list is its regular maintainance, which is a lot of work, of course. And there are only a few members who would take on such work.

You're welcome! To write about Total Commander was a personal concern for me. Absolutely! I totally agree. Simply unbelievable! I don't know that from any other program. I think so, too.

@Cixert With this statement, I meant especially the offline installer of AVG Antivirus Free 18.8.4084.0.

Did you try the online installers I linked for you? And you are right. The offline installer for the version 18.8.4084.0 does not exist anymore as I already mentioned. It used to exist, but it has been completely removed.

That is, of course, a nice touch from you.

That's what low level format means nowadays. So not no but yes. Before disposing of or smashing a hard disk, one should explore and try all options. I have said before, I am a non-believer. So no faith here in anything. Trial and error is an appropiate method, though.

I would backup all accessable data and perform then a low level format. Then you can check whether the pending sectors have been remapped or not. Exactly that I did successfully in the past using a low level format tool from WD (I don't know its name at the moment) and Spinrite 6.0.

AVG Antivirus Free 18 is a cheap imitation of avast! Free Antivirus 2018. As I have reported several times, I had various problems with avast! But AVG takes the cake. With AVG Antivirus Free 18.8.4084.0, I had only problems and even crashes on my computer (real Windows XP). That's why I provided the download link to AVG Clear 18.8.4084.0 that you quoted, to get rid of this version completely. The choice between AVG 18 and avast! 2018 is like between plague and cholera , but I would always choose avast!. You can already see how "good" AVG is from your posted links. They removed all original links to the version 18.8.4084.0 of AVG Antivirus Free and offer a previous version. Maybe, because the version 18.8.4084.0 or its installer is crappy indeed? Anyway! If you really want to install AVG Antivirus Free 18, then I have this link for you: Download of the online installer for AVG Antivirus Free 18.8.4084.0: http://web.archive.org/web/20181227134304if_/https://install.avcdn.net/avg/iavs9x/avg_antivirus_free_setup.exe This installer is language-neutral, but I'm definitely not going to try it, not to mention the fact that I hate online installers anyway. And the most recent, official online installer is supposed to recognise the operating system automatically and install the correct version. Here is the download page: https://www.avg.com/en-us/windows-xp-antivirus#pc All at your own risk! I already warned you. The offline installer of AVG Internet Security 18.8.4084.0 should work, too. Maybe, there is an option to install the free version instead of the trial when starting its setup, or after the trial period ended, it should revert back to the free version as usual. BTW, I know Avast bought AVG some times ago. I think they want people to use their own, original products, and that is one more reason to remove such AVG installers. Doing so they have less rival products. Cheers, AstroSkipper

If "Made in Germany" or another imprint suggesting German production is found on electronic components, this does not mean that the part was produced entirely in Germany. The production costs in Germany are far too high. Therefore, most of it is produced abroad and perhaps finished here. Purely German, electronic components are certainly rather rare. You shouldn't fool yourself about that. The end consumer is just getting screwed anyway.

Yep, unfortunately! Unpredictable and unauthorised actions every now and then! Basically, avast! 2018 is a good protection program. I used avast! Premier in my system for years. But there were several reasons to switch to other programs. You can read more about that in this post: You should definitely reinstall avast! 2018 at regular intervals if you want to use this program in your system I personally no longer use avast! 2018. My protection program has been Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1.2522 for some time, and I am satisfied with it. Cheers, AstroSkipper

Update notification! The Root Certificates have been updated and are now from 25-04-2023. Here is a screenshot: Therefore, my self-created, offline Root Certificate Updaters in the section 11.2.4. Downloads related to Root Certificate Updates (in the first post of this thread) will also be updated as soon as possible. Cheers, AstroSkipper

Yep, you're right! The proof is in the pudding. When I wrote my comment, I was on my couch using an Android tablet. Now, I am back at my Windows XP desktop computer. Although stated as XP-compatible on their website, Malwarebytes AdwCleaner 7.4.2.0 is unfortunately not compatible with Windows XP anymore. It can't be installed.

Very good examination! As Malwarebytes AdwCleaner 7.4.2.0 use the database from Oct 10th 2022 under Windows Vista, then it will most probably use the same database under Windows XP. Anyway! I assume there won't be any more recent database for this version in the future due to the lack of updates in the cloud for more than 6 months.

This thread is about antivirus programs targeting Windows XP SP3 only. Posting a list of antivirus programs targeting Windows Vista is not really helpful and rather misleading. There are a lot of versions inside this list which won't work under Windows XP SP3. Anyway!I know this list but it doesn't belong here. At least, you should change the headline to "AntiVirus & Security Software for Windows Vista". To answer your question, Malwarebytes Free v3.5.1 should serve perfectly your needs. I use Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1 under Windows XP. It is the last version for Windows XP but still receives definition updates. Its detection rate is very good. Only the premium version has a background guard.

OT: Unfortunately not! I know this shop but I have never ordered anything there. BTW, that a shop is a German one says nothing about the quality of offered hardware, which in most cases is of Asian origin anyway nowadays. For old, already used hardware, I prefer eBay or eBay Kleinazeigen, and for new hardware, Amazon and some real shops in my surrounding.

AFAIAA, unfortunately not. But the last months, I have presented some different antivirus or antimalware programs here in the thread and disseminated information about them, all still working under Windows XP.

A few additional remarks about Total Commander I totally forgot to mention in my quoted post. I find it simply incredible that the current version 10.52 of Total Commander is still compatible with Windows 95 and higher. Apart from that, there are a few things to note that make this file manager unique: comparing files and folders, creating and verifying checksums, establishing data connections via FTP, LAN and WLAN, integrating external programs in the form of functional buttons (for example TeraCopy), filing important program links (shortcuts), bookmarks for important folders, installing specific plugins to access external file systems like Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, exFAT etc. apart from FAT32 and NTFS, and the possibility of activating further functions by modifying the two settings files wincmd.ini and wcx_ftp.ini to meet the individual needs of the user even more. wincmd.ini is the main configuration file, and wcx_ftp.ini contains everything related to FTP connections. And all that I have listed here is just a drop in the ocean.You won't really be able to list all the functions of Total Commander. Even after 28 years, I regularly discover new functions. And I particularly often use the copy and move function for files and folders with integrated checksums' verification, which can be modified in the settings file wincmd.ini so that both the current date and the creation date of files are not changed. Here is a description of the settings for Total Commander's main configuration file wincmd.ini: https://www.ghisler.ch/wiki/index.php?title=Wincmd.ini And here is a screenshot of my TC's main window including some markers and the mentioned settings files, which can be edited at any time: Cheers, AstroSkipper

I was searching this thread and I noticed that one of the most important programs for Windows has never been mentioned here, even though I use it most often day by day. It is Total Commander, probably the best known and in my opinion the most powerful file manager for Windows ever. Total Commander (TC) is a two-column file manager for Windows modelled on the legendary Norton Commander from the days of DOS. There are also free variants for the smartphone and tablet operating systems Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile. Total Commander allows convenient file management, offers an integrated ZIP utility, an FTP client, a multi-rename tool, a very good search function with filters, and so on. Its functionality can be extended easily by addons. Here is a picture of TC's main window: Homepage: https://www.ghisler.com Download page: https://www.ghisler.com/download.htm Addons page: https://www.ghisler.com/addons.htm And here are all 12 screenshots from TC's homepage to demonstrate different features: https://www.ghisler.com/screenshots/en/01.html Many features of Total Commander are described here: https://www.ghisler.com/featurel.htm The latest version is 10.52 from 26-10-2022 and still XP-compatible. Although it is shareware, it is fully functional. There is only a small nag screen when the program is started. Total Commander is offered in form of different installers. A 32-bit version only, a 64-bit version only and a 64-bit+32-bit combined. The 32-bit version is compatible with Windows 95 up to Windows 11, the 64-bit version with Windows XP up to Windows 11 and the 64-bit+32-bit combined with Windows 95 up to Windows 11. There are installers for USB sticks and even a 16 bit version for Windows 3.1. Total Commander has a multiple language and Unicode support. Total Commander is my favourite and most used program, even under Android. I use Total Commander (formerly Windows Commander) since 1995 and can recommend it without any reservations due to 28 years only positive experiences. Greetings, AstroSkipper

Linguistically a little curious, but if the function "define" is simply not defined, it still makes sense.

Thank you! So far all is good. All my four IDE hard disk in my Windows XP computer are in an excellent condition. And I have two Dawicontrol SATA PCI cards on reserve. But I hope I do not have to use them. I think I would even rather change the motherboard.

DreamMail Pro - Update information! DreamMail Pro has been updated again and is now available in version 6.6.6.8. It is still XP-compatible, and the development is ongoing! I have not been able to find a version history on their homepage. Therefore, I generated an official version history and provide it here: And here is the download link of DreamMail Pro 6.6.6.8: https://dl.cy-email.com/dm6/Download/dmpro_setup6.6.6.8.exe To force the updated installer of DreamMail Pro 6.6.6.8 to use English instead of Chinese as the installer language, I updated again my small loader that does this when it calls up the setup program. It must be executed in the same directory in which the setup file is located with its original file name dmpro_setup6.6.6.8.exe. Here is the download link of my loader Force_En_Install_DM_Pro_6668.exe: https://www.mediafire.com/file/1bdbimf2eq6m21l/Force_En_Install_DM_Pro_6668.7z/file Although some virus scanners detect this file as malicious, it is just a false-positive as always. Use my loader to force an English install, only if you trust me, of course! Cheers, AstroSkipper