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 yesterday at 02:56 PM by AstroSkipper
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[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 yesterday at 02:56 PM by AstroSkipper
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[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. 

[AstroSkipper]

And if anyone thinks that there is hardly anything worse to report about SUPERAntiSpyware, I have to disappoint them. We now come to the "official support" for SUPERAntiSpyware, which has since been taken over by the American company USTechSupport. If you want to fill out the online form on the SUPERAntiSpyware homepage, you are required to provide a telephone number. Rejected!  An email to support is answered immediately, but of course by a bot. You can write whatever you want, but you won't get any help. Just a recommendation that it's best to use the telephone support. And for this information, the support ticket is then marked as resolved.  I've never seen such rubbish.  The hotline is probably chargeable. It all smells like a rip-off.  That wasn't the case when I contacted SUPERAntiSpyware support the last time years ago before it was acquired by RealDefense LLC in 2023 which is also an American company. But when it comes to America, nothing surprises me anymore.  

Edited yesterday at 04:32 PM by AstroSkipper
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[AstroSkipper]

And after all these facts, here is my theory about what could be behind this destruction of 32-bit installations. Users are offered a programme update for SUPERAntiSpyware, and then, after the damage has been done, they are ripped off with great telephone support (because all is great there ) and whatever else. 
This is what my cat has to say about it: 

Edited 23 hours ago by AstroSkipper
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[NotHereToPlayGames]

Let me guess - the company is in "America" but the PHONE SUPPPORT is *NOT* !!!???

[AstroSkipper]

I don't know about American phone numbers but you should know that. The number is (801) 523-6766.

[NotHereToPlayGames]

You can not go by "phone number".  They can (and always are!) rerouted.  ESPECIALLY any 8xy number!

99 times out of 100, when "we Americans" call an AMERICAN company, we are rerouted to "call centers" *NOT* in the US.

60 times out of 100, you have to HANG UP and call again so that you can get somebody whose "English" can be UNDERSTOOD.

[Karla Sleutel]

3 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

(801) 523-6766.

801-523-6766 Phone Number | Laura M Alexander - Whitepages

2033 6th Ave Suite 1100, Seattle, 98121, WA

https://www.whitepages.com/phone/1-801-523-6766

[NotHereToPlayGames]

You act as if that is "accurate".  It isn't.  I can do a "whitepages.com" lookup of my parents' phone and it has them listed about 140 miles away.  And they have had the same number for 30yrs.

 

A different "lookup" has that phone listed as being TWO HUNDRED FIFTY SIX miles away.

I'm telling you, all 8xy numbers in the US are CALL CENTERS that are networked and rerouted and move all over the place.

Call that number.  You will be speaking with somebody in INDIA or CHINA, not Washington, USA or Oregon, USA.

That's how "800 numbers" are here in the USA.  Call centers and you never know what "accent" you will have to listen to.

 

 

 

 

[NotHereToPlayGames]

The Better Business Bureau lists "USTech Support" as located in Pasadena, CA.

 

 

[Dave-H]

Back on topic please guys.

[AstroSkipper]

On 1/22/2026 at 2:22 PM, AstroSkipper said:

Furthermore, the size of the virus definition file that is downloaded has increased significantly. As before, it takes forever to load. 

Here are some facts about the sizes of SUPERAntiSpyware's virus definition files from 2024 to 2026:

SASDEFINITIONS.EXE 210,345,304 bytes 07.07.2024
SASDEFINITIONS.EXE 214,737,232 bytes 27.05.2025
SASDEFINITIONS.EXE 353,800,400 bytes 23.01.2026

The virus definition file SASDEFINITIONS.EXE has increased by 4,391,928 bytes from July 2024 to May 2025, which is a normal increase of approx. 2% within 10 months. From May 2025 to January 2026, however, it increased by 139,063,168 bytes.  This is an unbelievable increase of approx. 65% within only 8 months and definitely a no-go.   The file has become totally bloated for whatever reason. Now, I finally know why the download takes much longer time than before, apart from the catastrophic download speed on their update server, which is used by the programme.

Edited 48 minutes ago by AstroSkipper
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