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

[Dušan Vićić]

Speaking of latest antiviruses, has anybody tested the latest Avast database definitions for v18? I know they have discontinued the XP compatibility check recently, but i'm curious if Avast can be still used as a real time protection AV?
I'm not a fan of cloud only protection like Panda, even though currently it's the best solution for antimalware protection other than SUPERAntiSpyware (the definition updates are still being released, just checked on my XP x32 VM), which is fine for me.
If only i had a key for Pro edition...

[AstroSkipper]

SUPERAntiSpyware stopped Windows XP support with the version 10.0.0.1254 which was the last working installer version. Until the end of last year, it was still possible to update to version 10.0.0.1266 via automatic updates. Since the beginning of the year, this is no longer possible. Users are constantly being nagged to perform a programme update under Windows XP SP3 32-bit that renders the entire installation unusable after application. This is because it updates to the 64-bit version 10.0.0.1282. The old files are of course overwritten, and anyone who has not created a backup beforehand is lost.  Luckily, after hours of searching, I found a Norton Ghost image of my other XP partition with the last changed files when SUPERAntiSpyware was updated to the version 10.0.0.1266. That's why I was able to manually restore the destroyed installaton.  Furthermore, the size of the virus definition file that is downloaded has increased significantly. As before, it takes forever to load.  The only good thing is that the definitions are still being updated at all. 

5 hours ago, Dušan Vićić said:

SUPERAntiSpyware (the definition updates are still being released, just checked on my XP x32 VM), which is fine for me.

So, nothing is fine. 

5 hours ago, Dušan Vićić said:

If only i had a key for Pro edition...

You don't need one.  I've had a lifetime licence for the Professional version since 2013. It used to be worth something when Windows XP was still supported. Those days are finally over. 
 

Edited 5 minutes ago by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

Athough I have disabled the checking for programme updates in SUPERAntiSpyware's settings, every time I start it up or update the definitions, I am annoyed by the usual pop-up promising a programme update. 

Therefore, I would like to warn you against updating the programme via Automatic Updates at this point.  

Stay at the version 10.0.0.1254 or uninstall it! 

Edited 5 minutes ago by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

I also tested again the real-time protection module of SUPERAntiSpyware. The CPU usage on my old computer is high and completely unacceptable. Therefore, a Professional licence is not worthwhile at all on low-performance computers.