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

[AstroSkipper]

OT:

4 hours ago, jaclaz said:

As an example, take DMDE (which I actually personally recommend[1]) as a program for data recovery, try finding it searching for a data recovery program, you will find that Recuva, Easeus and Wondershare are far more well known and popular, yet they - in the best case (if/when they work at all) - offer a fraction of the capabilities of DMDE.

I know DMDE, and it is a great piece of software. And Recuva, Easeus and Wondershare are rather crap.

End of OT.

Edited May 3, 2023 by AstroSkipper

[AstroSkipper]

Structure of this thread

You might get the idea that this thread will also become confusing if it continues to grow, but that is not the case.  I created it in such a way that you can quickly get to the most important information by regularly checking the second, third and fourth post. In particular, the list in the second post contains all the links to the programs presented here. So checking there at regular intervals is a very good, primary strategy.  Additionally, we have a forum search function to check this topic for relevant information as we always should do, of course.  And I totally forgot to mention, you should have read the first post of this thread at least once. That's it! 

Greetimgs, AstroSkipper 

Edited May 3, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[D.Draker]

17 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

1 - Sorry for that! I overlooked your request. I am very tired the last days. So, is that your *important* question? 

2 - Why should "it" be at the first place? I don't understand this statement at all.

 

Of course Vir.IT eXplorer (calling by the name) runs on XP !  

The Antivirus engine is of their own Italian development (no russkies involved) !

My GF (girlfriend) currently runs it on her cheap/outdated PC (Pentium G with only 8GB of the ancient DDR3 RAM , DDR3 is from 2007).

2 - Very easy on PC resources !The product is VB100 certified. All tests passed:

https://www.virusbulletin.com/vb100/testing/tgsoft/vir-it-explorer-pro

PS. Sorry to hear you're tired ! Get well soon! 

10 hours ago, jaclaz said:

As an example, take DMDE (which I actually personally recommend[1]) as a program for data recovery, try finding it searching for a data recovery program, you will find that Recuva, Easeus and Wondershare are far more well known and popular, yet they - in the best case (if/when they work at all) - offer a fraction of the capabilities of DMDE.

jaclaz

[1] but that D.Draker cannot use because the programmer is Russian

The German WinHex has all needed tools for recovery. And which original Western software DMDE's based on ? I'm not that naive to trust they develop something of their own.

[AstroSkipper]

On 5/3/2023 at 12:50 AM, D.Draker said:

PS. Sorry to hear you're tired ! Get well soon! 

Thank you for your kind words! 

On 5/3/2023 at 12:50 AM, D.Draker said:

The product is VB100 certified. All tests passed:

But only very slightly above the minimum. A detection rate of 77.40% is unfortunately quite poor. That's why Vir.IT eXplorer only achieved the lowest grade D. For me, simply too low.  IMHO, Vir.IT eXplorer is therefore just an option for Windows XP if there is no better one, but not more.  But luckily, there are still better ones available. 

Edited May 4, 2023 by AstroSkipper

[mina7601]

2 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Thank you for your kind words! 

Sorry for the OT, but I also hope you get well!

Edited May 4, 2023 by mina7601

[D.Draker]

8 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Thank you for your kind words! 

But only very slightly above the minimum. A detection rate of 77.40% is unfortunately quite poor. That's why Vir.IT eXplorer only achieved the lowest grade D. For me, simply too low.  IMHO, Vir.IT eXplorer is therefore just an option for Windows XP if there is no better one, but not more.  But luckily, there are still better ones available. 

Did you do the tests yourself ? Do you always trust what they write in the papers ?

Whom that testing website belongs to ?  Where do they have their headquarters ? 

Ivan's bedroom ? 

We still shall continue to support our Italian friends, we are doing it for centuries,

I mostly buy Italian clothes for almost half of a century already. She bought the PRO version of Vir.IT eXplorer for her weak PC.

That having been said, I'm leaving, and leaving you with Mina7869 and legacysan, perhaps it's too cruel, sorry, I have no control over it.

And I wish you a speedy recovery from your tiredness. I know a good Italian vitamins.

Kind regards, D.Draker.

[AstroSkipper]

9 hours ago, D.Draker said:

Did you do the tests yourself ? Do you always trust what they write in the papers ?

Whom that testing website belongs to ?  Where do they have their headquarters ? 

Ivan's bedroom ? 

We still shall continue to support our Italian friends, we are doing it for centuries,

I mostly buy Italian clothes for almost half of a century already. She bought the PRO version of Vir.IT eXplorer for her weak PC.

@D.Draker Just to clarify it! It was @jaclaz and you who stated the following:

On 5/4/2023 at 12:50 AM, D.Draker said:

The product is VB100 certified. All tests passed:

What I did was simply checking the results of these tests which @jaclaz and you mentioned here. And unfortunately the results are rather poor. So it seems you trust tests from Virus Bulletin in general otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it. Therefore, I don't understand your objections at all. You can't put forward arguments and then directly cast doubt on them again. That does not make sense at all.  
Spoken for me only, there are some testing institutes I try to trust: AV-TEST, Virus Bulletin and AV-Comparatives. And I don't and won't do such tests by myself. 

9 hours ago, D.Draker said:

That having been said, I'm leaving ...

People cannot always be of the same opinion. But that is no reason to throw in the towel right away. So, don't leave! Go on! That's the idea of discussions. 

9 hours ago, D.Draker said:

And I wish you a speedy recovery from your tiredness.

Thank you again! Yes, the last weeks I am so tired ...  I really don't know what's going on here. 

Greetings, AstroSkipper 

Edited May 5, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

13 hours ago, mina7601 said:

Sorry for the OT, but I also hope you get well!

Thank you for your get-well wishes! 

[AstroSkipper]

And now a general statement about this thread. I collect and present information about security programs for Windows XP here in the most structured way possible. I also share the knowledge I have acquired as a Windows XP user for 22 years now. I don't have to do all this, I am well supplied here with everything that is necessary to use Windows XP as securely as possible in the future. All I do here is preserving and sharing knowledge and information to help others in using Windows XP safely for as long as possible. Nothing more, nothing less! 

Edited May 5, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[jaclaz]

Just in case, what jaclaz said is CLEARLY here:

Nothing more, nothing less.[1]

To be even more clear, I did not start anything, I was asked explicitly for something and answered to the best of my knowledge (on something that I don't use, never used and don't foresee using in the near future and that I neither recommend, endorse, nor judge, criticize or comment in any way).

jaclaz

[1] last character is a full stop or period.

Edited May 5, 2023 by jaclaz

[AstroSkipper]

1 hour ago, jaclaz said:

To be even more clear, I did not start anything, I was asked explicitly for something and answered to the best of my knowledge (on something that I don't use, never used and don't foresee using in the near future and that I neither recommend, endorse, nor judge, criticize or comment in any way).

jaclaz

I didn't say you started or recommended anything. But I said you mentioned the VB100 test results regarding Vir.IT eXplorer.

3 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

What I did was simply checking the results of these tests which @jaclaz and you mentioned here.

Nothing more, nothing less! So what's your problem?  If you don't want to be mentioned for what you wrote yourself, then it isn't a problem of mine but yours.  

AstroSkipper

Edited May 5, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[jaclaz]

1 hour ago, AstroSkipper said:

I didn't say you started or recommended anything.

And I never said you did (though you did attribute to me a recommendation):

 

1 hour ago, AstroSkipper said:

Nothing more, nothing less! So what's your problem? 

I have no problems, thankfully, though your exclamation mark, is - of course - a (minor) nuisance:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclamation_mark#English

jaclaz

Edited May 5, 2023 by jaclaz

[AstroSkipper]

6 minutes ago, jaclaz said:

I have no problems, thankfully ...

Well then, everything is fine, and I can finally get back to the real thing.

AstroSkipper

[AstroSkipper]

3 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

And now a general statement about this thread. I collect and present information about security programs for Windows XP here in the most structured way possible. I also share the knowledge I have acquired as a Windows XP user for 22 years now. I don't have to do all this, I am well supplied here with everything that is necessary to use Windows XP as securely as possible in the future. All I do here is preserving and sharing knowledge and information to help others in using Windows XP safely for as long as possible. Nothing more, nothing less! 

And I totally forgot to mention that all what I do here is very time-consuming and needs a lot of reading and detailed research. Unfortunately, the internet forgets, much has been deleted. Therefore, you have to search the archives to get the information you desire about old, abandoned programs such as Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1. All that just to let Windows XP live forever, or at least as long as possible.

Edited May 5, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

Avast Free Antivirus

The most used and very often recommended antivirus program for Windows XP is probably Avast Free Antivirus, and that for years. It is supposed to use advanced algorithms for detecting viruses, malware, spyware and other threats in real-time. The Core Shields are: File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield and Email Shield (only Outlook and Thunderbird are supported). Furthermore, it is supposed to protect against rootkits, and it offers additionally a Software Updater and Wi-Fi Inspector. Avast Free Antivirus still protects Windows XP owners with regular virus definition updates. But Avast no longer provides program updates, new features, bug fixes, or support for Windows XP. It was tested by AV-TEST and achieved a detection rate of almost 100% in November and December 2018 (see below).

Key Features:

• Real-time protection against malware and online threats.
• Automatic analysis of suspicious files with CyberCapture.
• Network scanning and Wi-Fi security with Wi-Fi Inspector.
• Behavioral monitoring with Behavior Shield.
• Comprehensive scanning with Smart Scan.
• Creating a Rescue Disk for emergency use.
• Browser cleanup to improve online security.
• Password management with autofill feature.
• Game Mode to optimize computer performance during gameplay.

Homepage:

https://www.avast.com/windows-xp-antivirus

https://web.archive.org/web/20181120211126/https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

Version number: 18.8.4084.0 (18.8.2356)

Date of release: 15.11.2018

System Requirements:

A PC with 256 MB+ RAM and 1.5 GB of hard disk space. Avast Antivirus is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP SP3.

Version history and release notes:

Quote

18.8.2356
2018-11-15

- fixed critical vulnerability
- last version for Windows XP/Vista

18.7.2354
2018-10-09

What's new:
- Passwords now synchronize even better
- Smart Scan now shows you the results of completed scans if you stop it before it’s finished
- Software Updater has moved in menu from Protection to Performance

Fixed:
- You can now minimize games without trouble after a few minutes of play
- No more duplicate dialogs when we detect a phishing scam
- We’ve taken care of those connection problems while activating subscriptions
- We’ve caught and fixed a bug messing with the Windows Security Center registration after a Windows Update

18.6.2349
2018-08-21

What's new:
- Do Not Disturb Mode replaces Game Mode and adds support for non-game apps too
- Edge extension replaces the Internet Explorer one (https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9P5882STVN6X)
- SecureLine VPN component won't be part of AV. User will be offered to install standalone VPN client independent from AV (staged release not for all users now)
- Support for scanning TLS 1.3 traffic via Web Shield (Chrome, Firefox)
- Automatic redirect to search page if domain isn't found
Fixed:
- Firewall notification not displayed when network changed
- Detection dialog not displayed for Web Shield when set to Ask
- Wrong reporting of Wi-Fi Inspector scan progress percent
- Site blocking works again
- Rescue disc
- Reporting of AV and Firewall state to Windows Security Center
- Explorer scan result not added to Notification Center
- Removed Enable offline mode option in free version tray icon

18.5.2342
2018-06-20

What's new:
- Notification alerts! A blue dot now appears on our systray icon when you have a notification
- Restore anywhere! Restore files from the Virus Chest to any location by clicking “Restore as”
Fixed:
- Improved our installation and update processes
- Clicking “Subscription information” in our systray menu now opens the correct screen
- Firewall status is now properly reported in Windows Security Center
- Disabled shields now appear correctly in our systray menu
- Fixed a few activation code bugs

18.4.2338
2018-05-10

- Detection dialogues for Anti-exploit and Anti-rootkit Shields
- My Licenses section
- Dropdown menu in top bar
- Earn Rewards program
- Wi-Fi Inspector redesign
- GDPR compliance
- Fixed a few crashes related to Firewall drivers
- "Scanning in progress" is no longer reported in tray after install
- Toaster from Game Mode is not shown when Silent Mode is enabled
- UI not responding when shields are disabled
- Behavior Shield crashes

18.3.2333
2018-04-03

- Avast now opens even faster
- Avast Passwords settings have been redesigned for easier use
- Squashed a Virus Chest bug that mistakenly deleted files when you tried to restore them
- Our welcome screen is now displayed properly after Avast is installed
- Firewall no longer blocks your emails over IPv6
- Game Mode popups about newly added games now slide away as intended
- Exterminated a Behavior Shield startup bug

18.2.2328
2018-03-01

- Threat detections made when Silent Mode is on will now appear in Notification Center
- Right-click scans from Windows Explorer are working again
- Automatic shutdown after scheduled scans is working again
- Our tray icon now animates properly
- Missing text has been added back when right-clicking the Recycle Bin
- Compatibility scan can be added to Smart Scan again via Settings
- Squashed some rescue-disk creation bugs

18.1.2326
2018-02-12

- You can now add multiple files to your Virus Chest at once
- We now better handle opening multiple Avast windows at once
- We've optimized scans of downloaded executable (.exe) files
- We now warn you if you try to shut down Windows during installation to ensure your Avast installation finishes properly
- Avast updates and installations are now more reliable thanks to our new fallback HTTPS server that kicks in if our standard servers are not reachable
- We've added a new Anti-Exploit module for better protection against exploits, shellcode, and other malicious executable files
- Hate being tracked online? Check out the new Avast AntiTrack offer we've added to your Privacy menu (now only in English version)
- Fixed scanning of files in your Virus Chest
- Fixed some problems with the Outlook plugin
- Fixed wrong text in the Recycle Bin context menu
- Fixed the name of the Avast window in the taskbar
- Fixed an annoying bug that minimized games every 30 minutes

17.9.2322
2017-12-21

- Now you can send feedback and bug reports from Settings > About
- Recycle Bin content can now be shredded via Windows contextual menu (Avast Premier only)
- Redesigned Scan & Shields screens in the Protection menu for easier navigation
- Redesigned Avast Passwords UI for easier use
- More detailed status reporting to Windows Security Center in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
- Nested virtualization support for AMD CPUs
- Better proxy detection by setup and update from Windows settings
- Fixed a problem with white UI (you might see more processes AvastUI.exe now, but that's OK)
- Sensitive Data Shield now works with Windows XP and Vista
- Anti-Phishing Protection in Web Shield now works with Windows XP
- Clicking Scan Details in the Notification Center no longer starts another scan
- Fixed Avast service crash when a license expires
- Fixed performance scan in Performance > Cleanup Premium
- Fixed issue where Behavior Shield sometimes cut off a user’s Internet connection
- False positives can now be reported directly from threat detection warnings (File Shield)
- Fixed boot issue on Windows XP when Virtual PC driver is installed
- Fixed BSOD caused by conflict between DELL percsas3 and Avast Self-defense drivers

17.8.2318
2017-11-09

- Fixed issues with deleting Firewall rules during program update
- Fixed issues with Passive mode
- Added support for custom folders in Ransomware shield
- Fixed repeating scheduled scans
- Fixed update action from Windows Security Center
- Polishing of Virus Chest
- Fixed issue with Gmail signature (007 error) that was breaking outgoing emails
- Fixed Firewall new network toaster to set the correct profile

17.7.2314
2017-10-04

- New Webcam Shield stops hackers from hijacking your webcam to spy on you (Premier only)
- Virus Chest redesigned and moved to the Protection menu for easier access
- Improved low-level optimizations for better performance with AMD Ryzen CPUs
- Exclusions for Real Site (Secure DNS) can now be added via Web Shield exclusions

17.6.2310
2017-08-31

- Improved Anti-Phishing prevents you from falling victim to scams and fake sites (no browser extension needed!)
- New standalone Avast Cleanup Premium product with improved cleaning (to be rolled out in stages)
- We now recommend scanning for hidden network threats when you first connect to a new network
- Our systray icon now shows when you have a security notification
- Improved threat detections are now more visible and more informative about threats

17.5.2302
2017-06-26

- New feature: Ransomware Shield (for Internet Security and Premier)
- New warning system on dashboard
- Warnings added to notification center
- Redesigned some popups
- Notification counter added to tray icon

17.4.2294
2017-05-03

FIXED:
- updated GUI engine
- fixed notification of finished Smart Scan, now it correctly shows the results instead of starting the scan again
- fixed several crashes in Web Shield (including corruption of large downloaded files)
- fixed crashing during update of virus definitions on 32-bit OS
- viruses detected by File Shield are now correctly moved to quarantine
- firewall profile is correctly recognized also when you connect via different network adapters
- fixed problem with empty windows profile on Windows 10 after avast update
- right-click explorer scan now runs in main window

17.3.2291
2017-03-30

FIXED:
- Crashes in setup

17.3.2290
2017-03-28

FIXED:
- Firewall: Fixed internet connectivity not working after update (until restart) on Win XP, Vista and 7 - should now always work immediately
- Wifi Inspector: Fixed incorrectly displayed vulnerabilities - vulnerability info is now correct
- Web Shield: Fixed SSL scanning issue on some sites - sites now load correctly
- Issues with login to roaming profile after update
- Passwords: Fixed issues with self-authorization and import from Easy Pass
- Issue with installation on Braswell CPUs
- Network problems after update on Vista
- Issue with playing HTML5 videos in SafeZone browser
- Improved compatibility with Windows 10 Creators Update
- Issue with disabling components, which require restart
- Problems with never-ending Cleanup optimization

17.2.2288
2017-02-27

FIXED:
- not working User interface after update
- problems on Windows Vista after update
- issues with SecureLine license after update
- conflict with Comodo firewall
- installation of web extensions on 64-bit version of Firefox
- problems with opening Avast UI after installation
- security issue in SafeZone browser banking mode

17.1.2286
2017-02-07

- Improved user interface - simplified navigation, new brand colors, notification center
- Behavior Shield - better protects you against ransomware by monitoring running programs for suspicious behavior
- Game mode - helps reduce distractions and lag times by automatically prioritizing your game’s performance and suspending all unnecessary background notifications and processes while you play
- Free version no longer requires email registration
- Performance improvements - faster webpage loading and app launching thanks to optimized hashing algorithms
- Wi-Fi Inspector - previously called Home Network Security, this feature now detects even more problems and vulnerabilities on both home and public networks
- Passwords - faster UI and improved browser integration
- Real Site - our new name for SecureDNS, which prevents DNS hijacking to help you avoid visiting fake websites
- SafeZone browser - common settings for all modes, faster startup of bank mode, currency converter

12.3.2279
2016-08-16

+ Passive mode - new compatibility mode,  which should solve compatibility issues, when Avast is being installed on a pc, where other AV is installed (and registred to WSC), Most of the shields are turned off, Avast should be updatable.
+ Added SafeZone browser, Security browser extension and SafePrice extension to Settings->Components for better management

Fixed:
+ BSOD for Skylake processor running  Windows 10 Anniversary Update
+ Randomly opening Avast UI bug
+ SafePrice browser extension component is not installed during update when Browser extension was not installed in the previous version
+ Compatibility problems with PICO processes on Win10 RS1
+ Incorrectly displaying firewall network profile notification
+ Avast is correctly recognized in Windows Security Center after upgrade to Windows Anniversary Update
+ Showing all passwords as reused in passwords list

12.2.2276
2016-07-28

+ Fully compatible with Windows 10 Anniversary Update

+ The new Components menu in program Settings - an easier way to control which components are installed and running

12.1.2272
2016-06-21

+ Lower system impact - faster boot time, less space taken on disk

+ CyberCapture - better detection of unknown and unique files via our cloud technology

+ Regular monthly program updates - automatic and silent, configurable via Settings

+ Improved detection of router vulnerabilities

+ New Bank mode in SafeZone browser

+ Faster SecureLine connection

+ Antispam is now as opt-in component

- Removed hardware virtualization (NG) - replaced with CyberCapture,that has much lower impact on system resources

- Removed Remote assistance - not used enough and not a core functionality

2016.11.1.2262
2016-04-27

+ fixed crashing installations

+ fixed critical crashes on some AMD processors

+ fixed problem with huge antispam logfile

+ fixed repeatedly adding SafeZone browser icon on desktop after avast update

2016.11.1.2261
2016-04-08

+ Fixed issue when SafeZone browser was installed during program update also in case when user has uninstalled it before

2016.11.1.2260
2016-04-06

+ SafeZone browser is now included also in free version

+ Avast program updates are now automatic and silent by default - can be changed via Settings->Update

+ Faster computer startup

+ Fixed issues with Firewall on Windows 7

+ Fixed postpone function on restart dialog

+ Fixed starting Pay mode in SafeZone browser

+ Better notification about email signatures

2016.11.1.2253
2016-02-03

+ New firewall driver for Win8/10 - fixes issues with non working firewall

+ SecureLine start is faster - new OpenVPN method

+ Easier turning off email signatures

+ Faster loading of passwords list

+ Fixed installation of SafeZone browser

+ Extensions are now Firefox 64-bit compatible

+ SafeZone browser: Added security extension (phishing protection)

+ SafeZone browser: Fixed Pay mode crashes

+ SafeZone browser: Settings and bookmarks now synced to Pay mode (after browser restart)

+ Security fixes

2016.11.1.2245
2015-12-01

+ Added option to disable the email signature to Setttings-> General ( https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=179178.0 )

+ SafeZone browser now automatically imports bookmarks and passwords from old SafeZone

+ Added shortcut for SafeZone browser to systray menu

+ Passwords extension for Firefox is now signed

+ Added icons for scans

+ HTTPS scanning now supports SPDY protocol

+ Fixed problems with browsing on Windows XP

+ Fixed issues with expired certificates needed for HTTPS scanning

+ Update popup not shown when just checking for latest version ( https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=179633.0 )

+ Fixed missing option to delete custom scan

+ Fixed wrong displayed text in menu

+ Fixed problems with SecureDNS

+ Fixed missing Spanish language in Home network security

2016.11.1.2241
2015-11-03

NEW: Passwords - Avast can now manage your passwords and generate strong passwords for you. Just one password to remember.
 - checks your passwords security
 - stores your passwords securely
 - includes browser extensions for easier logging in and form filling
 - generates strong passwords

Android app:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.passwordmanager
iOS app:        https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/avast-passwords/id1037779526?mt=8
NEW: SafeZone browser - Replaced the SafeZone for safer shopping and banking in Pro, Internet Security and Premier
 - Pay Mode: It isolates the session and protects it from possible keyloggers or other malicious software secretly lurking on your computer. With Pay Mode you can perform all your financial transactions in peace, without fear of your password or other personal details being stolen. Pay Mode runs automatically on banking site, but it can be also turned on manually.
 - Shielded Window: To open there suspicious websites and to ensure full anonymity
 - Ad Blocking: includes built in ad blocker extension
 - Video downloading for offline viewing
 - Easy setup: Automatically imports your bookmarks, history and cookies from your current default browser

NEW: User interface - More space for content, easy control

NEW: Feedback possible directly from program - report bugs, feature requests and other suggestions easier

IMPROVED: Home network security now detects more router vulnerabilites and shows more details
IMPROVED: Installation - it should be now faster and less obtrusive.
IMPROVED: WebShield HTTPS Scanning - We introduced a new method of HTTPs scanning. It is used in Firefox, Chrome and Opera. It works without changing the certificates and the security parameters and certificates are verified by the browser itself, including checks for untrusted or revoked certificates.

+ Many other minor tweaks and bug fixes

2015.10.4.2233
2015-09-17

+ Better server selection list in SecureLine

+ Fixed: Cleanup to stucked on 99%

+ Fixed: Problems with HTTPS certificates in Firefox after upgrade to Windows 10

+ Fixed: Firewall not started after upgrade to Windows 10

+ Fixed: Cleanup to report leftover files, when software was just updated and not uninstalled (e.g. Skype, Java)

Review: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/1406757/avast-free-antivirus-2018-review-the-best-free-security-suite

Tests:

Avast in general:

https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/manufacturer/avast/

https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/summary-report-2018/#avast

Screenshot with the final test results from AV-TEST:



Screenshot with the Product of the Year 2018 award from AV-Comparatives:



Avast Free Antivirus 18.7 & 18.8 in detail: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-10/december-2018/avast-free-antivirus-18.7--18.8-184902/

Download links:

Online installer: https://install.avcdn.net/av/avast/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe

Offline installer: https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe

Avast VPS update for versions 12+: https://install.avcdn.net/vpsnitro/vpsupd.exe 

Avast Uninstall Utility (Avast Clear) in the correct version of 18.8.4084.0: https://web.archive.org/web/20181116091922if_/http://iavs9x.avg.u.avcdn.net/iavs9x/avastclear.exe

How to uninstall Avast using Avast Clear:

Sometimes it's not possible to uninstall Avast the standard way using the Add/Remove Programs in control panel. In this case, you can use the uninstallation utility Avast Clear:

• Download avastclear.exe on your desktop.
• Start Windows in Safe Mode.
• Execute the avastclear.exe.
• If you installed Avast in a different folder than the default, browse for it. (Note: Be careful! The content of any folder you choose will be deleted!).
• Click REMOVE.
• Restart your computer.

Screenshots:











I only used Avast Free Antivirus for a very short time. The version of Avast I had installed for years was Avast Premier. Unfortunately, I have a split opinion about Avast. On the one hand, it's great that Avast offers such a program for Windows XP at all, although this operating system was abandoned by Microsoft in 2014. And then also free of charge and with real-time protection. That is rather rare. Avast continues to roll out definition updates for this old version on a regular base. Furthermore, it has an excellent detection rate of almost 100%. On the other hand, I had various problems with Avast. Exceptions that were set for alarms of the background guard were simply ignored. Avast partly operates according to its own standards and does not always respect the user's settings, which I rather consider as disenfranchisement of the user. I don't like that, and it's simply a no go. Another bad habit of Avast, and unfortunately that of many other manufacturers, is to offer features that are apparently free. For example, SecureLine VPN. In fact, you have to pay for it. I find something like this to be more of a cost trap. That's why I didn't list this feature above. And I had serious problems to uninstall Avast completely. That was actually another no go.  Furthermore, I don't like the disk space consumption of Avast products which is always very high.  One main reason for that is probably the implementing of (unnecessary) features or those which only can be used if you pay for them. More details about problems in terms of Avast, you will find here:

Despite all points of criticism, Avast Free Antivius is a program offering a very good protection and definitely an option for Windows XP, but I personally can't and won't recommend it here due to my reservations and experiences from the past.

Kind regards, AstroSkipper

Edited May 7, 2023 by AstroSkipper
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