AstroSkipper

You don't have to because, if I remember correctly, you abandoned Windows XP in 2007. But Windows XP enthusiasts like me have to adapt to the circumstances, whether you like it or not. And as for Chinese software, there are good and correct developers there too, but also black sheep. Just like everywhere else. BTW, I don't think it was meant as a warning but an additional information that presumably most of us already know, though.

BTW, we Windows XP (and Vista) users should actually be glad that there are still countries that develop XP-(Vista-)compatible programs. You may think what you want about some countries, but they still use and maintain these old operating systems. In my opinion, that should be appreciated. At least, so I do. And that has definitely nothing to do with politics or any preferences.

Yes, but the latest versions of 360 Total Security Essentials 10 are conterminous with bloatware that installs a so-called Desktop Manager, of course without being asked, and moves all my icons on the desktop. I have already written about that here: In contrast, Malware Hunter has a clean interface without such bloatware, though.

Unfortunately, my time and resources are limited. Researching and writing such articles is very time-consuming. Any help, any testing of programs, any posting of experiences already made regarding such security programs for Windows XP is therefore always welcome.

You might test that in these days again!

Malware Hunter Malware Hunter is an antimalware program from Glarysoft and is still XP-compatible. It comes in two versions, the free version Malware Hunter and the commercial version Malware Hunter Pro. It detects and removes stubborn malware that can cause potential danger. Its malware database is constantly updated either automatically or manually depending on the installed version. Additionally, it is supposed to clean disks and speed up your PC. It is even equipped with the Avira scan engine. Features: Malware Scan - Scan your computer quickly and thoroughly. Detect and remove stubborn malware to prevent potential danger. Support scheduled scan to save your time Speed Up - Help you optimize your system to speed up and boost your computer performance. Disk Cleaner - Clean up temporary & unnecessary files. Remove unneeded documents to save computer storage space. Process Protection - Protect your PC from malware, such as Trojan, worms, spyware, and other online threats. 3 Scan modes Avira engine Hyper scan for a faster scanning speed Malware removal Real-time protection and automatic updates (only in Malware Hunter Pro) Homepage: https://www.glarysoft.com/malware-hunter/ Version number: 1.185.0.807 Date of release: 17.06.2024 System requirements: Runs on Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP and Vista. Including both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Version history and release notes: Reviews: https://onlinecloudsecurity.com/malware-hunter-review-is-it-safe-to-download/ https://tweaklibrary.com/glarysoft-malware-hunter-pro-review/ Download page: https://www.glarysoft.com/downloads/?p=mh-page Direct download link: https://download.glarysoft.com/mhsetup.exe Screenshots: Although I personally don't prefer features like cleanup or optimization inside an antimalware program, the fact that this program is still compatible with Windows XP and has an Avira scan engine does not make it uninteresting. In any case, it can be used as an offline scanner in the free version and can also be set up as a portable version. You have full control over Malware Hunter via its systray icon. It is definitely an option for Windows XP. Cheers, AstroSkipper

And one thing is crystal clear, no one has to follow my recommendations. We are all different and have to form our own opinion. Greetings to all, AstroSkipper I linked this clarification to my initial post of this thread. All programs that need updates in some way, but unfortunately are no longer updated and are thus obsolete, should also no longer be mentioned here. This thread is about programs that can still be classified as up-to-date and safe in one way or another. There are also timeless programs that do not necessarily need updates, though, such as Windows 10 Firewall Control XP 7.5. Those programs will be listed here in any case.

@Cixert Here is a link to the homepage of WiseVector StopX via archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20230208110858/https://www.wisevector.com/en/ There you find more information. The homepage wisevector.com has been cleaned almost completely. No information there anymore except the manual (for the version 2.70). The admins there seem to have overlooked deleting this document as well. Here is the link to the last manual: https://www.wisevector.com/wisevector_stopx_user_guide_en.pdf The developers of WiseVector StopX had not really disclosed in-depth information on how this program works in detail. It is somehow a mix of artificial intelligence (machine learning), cloud support and local database. And here is a review: https://malwaretips.com/threads/wisevector-stopx-anti-malware-v3-07.115443/ But I'm not quite sure what you want to do with such a program. Unfortunately, it has been completely abandoned, no more program or database updates, no cloud support. Therefore, no entry in my alphabetical list of working antimalware, firewall, and other security programs for Windows XP but in my list of programs that have recently been abandoned. BTW, what about my recommendation in terms of Malwarebytes Free? You didn't say anything about it. So what do you think?

TBH, I was expecting something like that. AVG is great, isn't it?

Read my previous post, and you will see I could install Malwarebytes without removing Avast, too. But ... And this compatibility issue does not necessarily occur with every Avast version. I am only referring to version 18.8. BTW, my "instruction" was rather meant as a recommendation not to get in trouble. Therefore, I already corrected my wording in the according post not to be mistaken. Thanks for pointing to that!

When avast! Premier was installed in my system, I could also install Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1 but I could never enable real-time protection. With Malwarebytes Premium 2.2.1, there was no problem to do that. But AFAIK, there also have been users who didn't noticed any compatibility problems with avast!. So it may be that this issue only occur if the avast! installation has become faulty which unfortunately happens all the time in version 18.8. Some weeks ago, when I installed Malwarebytes 3.5.1, I could have used the free version if I didn't activate my license. So, it shouldn't actually be a problem. And you're right, my lifetime license worked with all versions from 1 to 3 and will do so for the version 4 and up.

Just for clarification! I do not advertise any programs here. And I do not recommend programs which were not tested by me. All recommendations are based on my own experience. The programs which I already listed or am going to list are first of all only options that are available to the user. I have been using some of them myself for years and can of course recommend these programs with a clear conscience. Here is a quotation from my first post: And one thing is crystal clear, no one has to follow my recommendations. We are all different and have to form our own opinion. Greetings to all, AstroSkipper

Unfortunately, yes! At least, according to my experience. Same here! I used avast! Premier 18.8 together with Malwarebytes Premium 2.2.1 for many years. I wasn't able to properly install Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1 in my Windows XP system. Malwarebytes' support was not able to help me although they did what they could. Some weeks ago, I found the cause of the issue: avast!. Now, it works as it should. BTW, if Malwarebytes' real-time protection is always disabled, the compatibility issue does not occur. No advertisement here! As you know, I had a longer discussion with Porthos & Co, too. And I was not amused at all which leads to the fact that I won't post there anymore. Have a look here: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/296406-windows-xp-does-not-have-lifetime-support/ But I am objective. Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1 works now like a charme in my Windows XP system, and apart from that I am still in possession of a lifetime licence. PS: avast! (Premier) 18.8 won't be any longer a program to recommend by me in the first place due to bad experiences I made in the past. Have a look into my corresponding post: More about that when I write the post regarding the last avast! versions compatible with Windows XP.

Since you are not using any real-time protection, my first recommendation for you would be Malwarebytes Free. It runs great, uses few system resources and has a very good detection rate. But you should uninstall avast! completely and clean your system from all leftovers. Malwarebytes and avast! might not get along. Of course, if you own a premium licence, you would have an optional three-layer real-time protection which can be switched on and off at any time. All about Malwarebytes here: https://msfn.org/board/topic/184730-antimalware-firewall-and-other-security-programs-for-windows-xp-working-in-2023-and-hopefully-beyond/?do=findComment&comment=1244368 What do you think?

Well, unfortunately, you can't always be lucky. In any case, a well-researched, detailed investigation of the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities.

Panda Dome is cloud-based, so there are no downloadable definition updates. WiseVector StopX has been abandoned, so you can't get any new definition updates. It is AI-based and only partly based on local definition updates. Furthermore, such downloadable definition updates were never offered anyway. For MWAV - eScan Antivirus Toolkit, have a look here: And here is the direct download link to the definition updates: http://www.microworldsystems.com/akdlm/download/tools/esupdatebd.exe Cheers, AstroSkipper

The links will probably change from time to time when an update or upgrade is due. I extracted the link to the offline installer from the online installer.

Have a look here: There is a download link to the offline installer. It's my most recent post. BTW, Panda Dome has been updated to the version 22.00.01.

You're welcome! The list with working security programs is most important and will be maintained by me as regularly as possible. I also count on members who notice that a program has been updated or abandoned. When I created this thread, I already added the tag "Antivirus" and others, so the search function should be able to find my thread. Therefore, it shouldn't actually be a problem. Thank you very much! Most of your listed programs are already on my internal list, though. But, any help is welcome! Thanks again! Much appreciated!

This thread and my new thread are quite different. So no need to close this topic! Maybe, there are members who prefer to post here as they always did. My new thread was not intended to make this one redundant. I think we will still see how things develop.

I have installed Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1.2522 on my Windows XP computer and use its real-time protection. There is a three-layer protection: Web protection and Exploit protection are permanently activated, Malware protection only if I surf unknown or a bit dirty websites. So my real-time protection is a bit on-demand due to my underperforming computer.

Thank you for the flowers! I'll try to do my very best.

Ok! I totally forgot that. Same happened to me with the most recent New Moon some days ago but only once. Therefore, I did not pay any further attention to it.

You're welcome! Such a thread has been a need of mine for quite some time.

Panda Free Antivirus Panda Free Antivirus (recently also called Panda Dome) is a cloud-based antivirus application designed to protect the user without wasting resources. It is extremely light as all the work is done in the cloud. Panda Free Antivirus provides fast protection against the newest viruses thanks to its cloud-scanning from Panda servers. Even the most recent version of Panda Free Antivirus is still compatible with Windows XP (SP3 32 bit editions only). Features: Antivirus Protection - Real-time protection against all types of malware and spyware. Schedule periodic scans and/or scan your computer on demand. USB protection - Protect your PC by preventing the automatic execution of malware from USB drives. Scan all USB drives upon insertion. Panda rescue kit - Free PC recovery system. Run an advanced scan of your PC or create a rescue USB drive to boot and clean those infected computers that won’t even start. Multimedia/Game mode - This mode ensures you play or watch multimedia content without disturbance from your antivirus while remaining completely secure. Homepage: https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/free-antivirus/ Version number: 22.02.01 Date of release: 27.12.2023 Previous versions: 22.00.01 released on 01.04.2023 22.01.01 released on 15.09.2023 22.02.00 released on 31.10.2023 System requirements: Compatible with: Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP (SP3 or higher, 32 bit only). Compatibility with Windows XP 64 bit: As already confirmed by @WSC4 and @UCyborg, Panda Free Antivirus is unfortunately not fully compatible with Windows XP 64 bit editions. The installer doesn't seem to detect the already existing .NET Framework 4 installation. A .NET Framework reinstallation via the installer also fails. If you still want to use Panda Free Antivirus under Windows XP 64 bit, you need to make some changes for the installer to work properly, which @UCyborg has found out and described here: https://msfn.org/board/topic/184730-antimalware-firewall-and-other-security-programs-for-windows-xp-working-in-2023-and-hopefully-beyond/?do=findComment&comment=1253877 Whether Panda Free Antivirus will run stably under Windows XP 64 bit is currently unclear and has to be confirmed yet. In any case, everything is without guarantee and at your own responsibility. Release notes: New cloud-based disinfection engine New behavioral analysis engine in the free edition Improved offline protection Process monitor allows seeing Internet connections on a per process basis Improved performance and 50% faster scans Compatibility with newer versions of Windows New interface Ability to manage different licenses Reviews: https://www.experte.com/antivirus/panda https://www.lifewire.com/panda-free-antivirus-review-1356582 Tests: https://www.av-comparatives.org/vendors/panda/ https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/manufacturer/panda-security/ Download links: Online installer: https://repository.pandasecurity.com/Panda/FREEAV/193309/PANDAFREEAV.exe Offline installer: http://acs.pandasoftware.com/Panda/FREEAV/193309/FREEAV.exe, credits to @AstroSkipper http://acs.pandasoftware.com/Panda/FREEAV/Promo_pd/FREEAV.exe, credits to @VistaLover Screenshot: Panda Free Antivirus is based on new cloud computing concept in which services are provided over Internet. This new antivirus scans files through Internet which makes it very light on system resources. It also doesn’t need regular updating of virus definitions as it automatically updates the virus definitions in the cloud (remote server) and scans files using those latest virus definitions. The user should have a good speed Internet connection to fully utilize this new cloud based antivirus otherwise it won’t work. No problem if the user is offline, it’ll still protect the system from virus attack as it stores the virus definitions in local cache as well. The system load of Panda Free Antivirus is very low (lower than it was for example with WiseVector StopX), and the detection rate is supposed to be very good according to my research. I used it for a while, and it is definitely an option for Windows XP. Cheers, AstroSkipper