Antimalware, firewall, and other security programs for Windows XP working in 2023 and hopefully beyond

[Dixel]

2 hours ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

I guess my "litmus test" would be this - see if you can upgrade your "virus definitions" through a VPN.

If you cannot, then "they know who you are".  They may not know your "name", but they have you "fingerprinted".

It doesn't prove anything. Russia actively uses VPN literally everywhere, including MSFN bots and troll farms on Twitter. (remember the topic about Russia+VPN). 

It's on the contrary, Russia blocks own citizens and some connections from outside, but not spyware and bots it spreads all over the world.

If we see such Kaspersky promotion pressure even here, the ban the US gov. implemented hits them hard.

 

[NotHereToPlayGames]

May require more than just a VPN "test".

If they have a way to know that two different users/installations requesting a definition update is in fact "two" users/installations, then that is a UNIQUE fingerprint.

That to me says "spyware".  Guess it depends on what the "definition of 'is' IS", as they say here in the US.

[AstroSkipper]

9 minutes ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

I guess my "litmus test" would be this - see if you can upgrade your "virus definitions" through a VPN.

If you cannot, then "they know who you are".  They may not know your "name", but they have you "fingerprinted".

I never had any problems when updating virus definitions via VPN.

[Dixel]

3 hours ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

May require more than just a VPN "test".

If they have a way to know that two different users/installations requesting a definition update is in fact "two" users/installations, then that is a UNIQUE fingerprint.

That to me says "spyware".  Guess it depends on what the "definition of 'is' IS", as they say here in the US.

I have an investigative journalist article where they caught Kaspersky helped to track users per FSB request and then they raided their house, I'll not add it here because another user already tried, and it got deleted immediately.

[Multibooter]

1 hour ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

I guess my "litmus test" would be this - see if you can upgrade your "virus definitions" through a VPN.

If you cannot, then "they know who you are".  They may not know your "name", but they have you "fingerprinted".

Good idea. I had tried NordVPN four years ago, but I couldn't get it going under WinXP. Can you recommend a VPN which works under WinXP?
My ancient version of Kaspersky has proxy settings but I doubt that they would work with the requirements of the VPN provider.
I couldn't get uTorrent v3.3.2.30488 (17Jan2014) under WinXP to work with NordVPN four years ago.

Re "finger-printing": ebay and paypal are good guys, they send an email message to confirm new devices, like "Desktop Pale Moon Windows XP NT 5.1" or "Windows (Palemoon 28.0)"
This shows that using WinXP with compatible browsers makes us white elephants, at least without VPN.

Edited June 28, 2024 by Multibooter

[Dixel]

3 hours ago, Multibooter said:

a VPN which works under WinXP?

https://msfn.org/board/topic/183911-vpn-for-windows-xp/

[Multibooter]

2 hours ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

If they have a way to know that two different users/installations requesting a definition update is in fact "two" users/installations, then that is a UNIQUE fingerprint.

That to me says "spyware".

I have updated online the signatures of my ancient version of Kaspersky on my Pentium 3 SSE-only laptop and about 30mins later updated online the same ancient version of Kaspersky on an i7 desktop under WinXP. Both computers were updated separately and sequentially from the same router/IP, no problems. With my ancient version of Kaspersky there is no issue updating several computers. You can save the signature updates in a distribution folder and update any number of computers from it.

I have no idea whether this would indicate "no spyware".

My installed version of Kaspersky is not activated, activation would set an expiration date. A nag window comes up at every program start asking to activate. Just select 'No" and start virus-checking. My ancient version can be updated only once, then the update button is greyed out. A re-install is required for a new signature update.

Edited June 28, 2024 by Multibooter

[Multibooter]

1 hour ago, Dixel said:

https://msfn.org/board/topic/183911-vpn-for-windows-xp/

Thanks!

[AstroSkipper]

50 minutes ago, Multibooter said:

My ancient version of Kaspersky has proxy settings but I doubt that they would work with the requirements of the VPN provider.

VPN has been discussed in different threads on MSFN but is not really a security programme and therefore rather off-topic here. Proxy settings are not necessary for using VPN, especially if you are connected directly to the internet. So what do you want to achieve with the proxy settings of a programme when it comes to VPN?  And what does that have to do with this thread? 

[Multibooter]

3 hours ago, Dixel said:

Russia blocks own citizens and some connections from outside

I am not a Russian or associated, so this is of no concern to me.

There is good Russian stuff and there is bad Russian stuff, it's your personal decision to choose between good and bad.
For me, for example, the Russian https://www.yandex.com is the best search engine for software, even if it couldn't find an instance of my ancient version of Kaspersky.

[AstroSkipper]

37 minutes ago, Multibooter said:

My ancient version can be updated only once, then the update button is greyed out. A re-install is required for a new signature update.

Are you really serious? A new installation after every update? And all this effort for an ancient programme with a totally outdated AV engine?  I'm losing faith. 

[D.Draker]

3 hours ago, Multibooter said:

First of all congratulations to your excellent English!

3 hours ago, Multibooter said:

There is good Russian stuff and there is bad Russian stuff, it's your personal decision to choose between good and bad.
For me, for example, the Russian https://www.yandex.com is the best search engine for software, even if it couldn't find an instance of my ancient version of Kaspersky.

 

Thank you for another compliment! At this point, I'm starting to have doubts about yours. People asked you to stop posting off-topic. Is it really so hard to understand?

3 hours ago, Multibooter said:

I am not a Russian or associated, so this is of no concern to me.

That we have no way of checking out with simple ways, unless I poke the guys from CIA I worked with. But then again, it's none of my business, I'm just joining other people of this wonderful thread by @AstroSkipper and ask you to stop the derailing.

[Multibooter]

1 hour ago, AstroSkipper said:

VPN has been discussed in different threads on MSFN but is not really a security programme and therefore rather off-topic here. Proxy settings are not necessary for using VPN, especially if you are connected directly to the internet. So what do you want to achieve with the proxy settings of a programme when it comes to VPN?  And what does that have to do with this thread? 

So sorry, I thought VPN was related to security, to prevent being spied upon.

I have another program, StartUp Organizer, running in the background. I like it, for information. A window pops up when a program tries to do something upon the next restart. Usually this occurs during installations, but sometimes also when a service setting is changed. Would it make sense to add another list, at the beginning of your topic, for security-related programs? Or could this bloat your topic in all directions?

[Multibooter]

1 hour ago, D.Draker said:

unless I poke the guys from CIA I worked with

The CIA deals with non-US persons...

Chitchat makes technical postings more fun. Back to the topic: It would be interesting to know what antivirus software Chinese/Hongkongese are using.

[AstroSkipper]

14 minutes ago, Multibooter said:

I have another program, StartUp Organizer, running in the background. I like it, for information. A window pops up when a program tries to do something upon the next restart. Usually this occurs during installations, but sometimes also when a service setting is changed. Would it make sense to add another list, at the beginning of your topic, for security-related programs? Or could this bloat your topic in all directions?

I already created a separate thread with the title Startup Managers under Windows XP  which can be found here: https://msfn.org/board/topic/184648-startup-managers-under-windows-xp/
StartUp Organizer from MetaProducts is a commercial programme, though. Most users are not willing to buy a licence for those tools. And TBH, there are enough tools free of charge. But nevertheless, such programmes can increase system security, however, only if security features have been implemented in.