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

[AstroSkipper]

17 hours ago, VistaLover said:

Sure enough, currently (ca. 15:40 GMT) the page loads as expected and the download button(s) works, too (screengrab from St52):

However, interesting would be now what you think about the reactivation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro 1.75.0.1300. Did you already test it? 

Edited July 28, 2023 by AstroSkipper

[AstroSkipper]

On 5/13/2023 at 4:49 PM, AstroSkipper said:

Ultra Adware Killer

Ultra Adware Killer is a simple but powerful adware remover for Windows by Carifred. It removes browser toolbars, add-ons, plugins, unwanted search providers, hijacked homepages, and potentially unwanted programs (PUP's). It also allows resetting Chrome and Firefox preferences optionally. The most recent version is still XP-compatible. It is fully portable, so no installation is needed, and it's free of charge. Every time Ultra Adware Killer is started, it briefly checks for updates.

Homepage: https://www.carifred.com/ultra_adware_killer/

Quotation from UAK's homepage:

Version number: 10.7.7.0

Date of release: 09.05.2023

System requirements:

Windows XP 32/64 bit
Windows Vista 32/64 bit
Windows 7 32/64 bit
Windows 8 32/64 bit
Windows 10 32/64 bit
Windows 11

Review: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultra-adware-killer-remover-cleaner

Download link: https://www.carifred.com/ultra_adware_killer/UltraAdwareKiller.exe

Screenshots:









I did a scan, and it worked as advertised. To do so, you only need to press the Start scan button, wait until the scan ends, and remove the items found. Typically, the whole operation takes only a few minutes. Additionally, a custom scan to check files or single folders can be performed at any time  But you have to read carefully not to delete entries which are actually belonging to harmless programs. On the homepage https://www.carifred.com/ultra_adware_killer/, you will find much more detailed  instructions, help and information about this program. I think it is an interesting alternative to for example the depreciated Malwarebytes AdwCleaner.

Greetings, AstroSkipper

FYI, Ultra Adware Killer has been updated to the version 10.7.9.0 on 20.07.2023. I tested this version under Windows XP. Unfortunately, the versions 10.7.8.0 and 10.7.9.0 are no longer compatible with Windows XP although some websites, as for example Softpedia, still list the most recent version 10.7.9.0 falsely as compatible. Therefore, the last XP-compatible version seems to be 10.7.7.0. Accordingly, I changed the provided download link, which would otherwise point to an XP-incompatible version, and updated my article completely.

Cheers, AstroSkipper

Edited July 28, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

On 5/1/2023 at 3:46 PM, AstroSkipper said:

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:  1.166.0.784

Date of release: 08.05.2023

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

Update notification! 

Malware Hunter has been updated on 17.07.2023 and is now available in version 1.169.0.787. It is still listed to be compatible with Windows XP. Accordingly, I updated my article.

Cheers, AstroSkipper 

Edited July 28, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

I added the official link to the offline updater spybotsd_includes.exe for antispyware definitions and corresponding update instructions to my article about SpyBot - Search & Destroy Free Edition. 

Cheers, AstroSkipper 

Edited July 28, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

On 5/27/2023 at 2:24 AM, AstroSkipper said:

CurrPorts

With the analysis tool CurrPorts from NirSoft, you can display all occupied ports for TCP/IP and UDP on your computer. The tool lists each process with open ports and extensive information such as local and external addresses of a program connected to the internet or a network. If desired, the tool creates a clear TXT, HTML or XML document from this. Even after so many years and updates, CurrPorts is still compatible with Windows XP, like most programs from NirSoft portable and of course free of charge. All further information can be found on the CurrPorts homepage.

Quotation from their homepage:

Homepage: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/cports.html

Version number: 2.71

Date of release: 03.04.2023

System requirements:

Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2008
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

Version history:

Review: https://www.ghacks.net/2019/08/02/blast-from-the-past-nirsofts-currports/

Download links:

32-Bit version: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/cports.zip

64-Bit version: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/cports-x64.zip

CurrPorts is also available in other languages which can be downloaded from their homepage.

Screenshots:



And here is a screenshot when opening MSFN website with New Moon 28:



I love all the tools from NirSoft. CurrPorts is one of them. Knowing exactly which program uses which port and connects to where is very important and can play a crucial role in terms of system security. In my opinion, you simply have to have this program, especially just in case.

Cheers, AstroSkipper 

Update notification! 

CurrPorts has been updated on 05.06.2023 and is now available in version 2.75. It is still listed to be compatible with Windows XP. Accordingly, I'll update my article as soon as possible.

Cheers, AstroSkipper 

Edited July 29, 2023 by AstroSkipper

[AstroSkipper]

The updated version 2.75 of CurrPorts now supports new IP-Location files. Read these release notes if interested in:

Quote

Added support for using the IP-Location files from https://github.com/sapics/ip-location-db for viewing country/city/ASN information of remote IP addresses.
You can use all 3 types of CSV files: Country, City, and ASN.
Both IPv4 and IPv6 files are supported.
In order to use these IP-Location files, simply download the desired files and put them in the same folder of cports.exe with their original filename (For example: asn-country-ipv4.csv , asn-ipv4.csv, asn-ipv6.csv)

 

Edited July 29, 2023 by AstroSkipper

[Saxon]

Hi @AstroSkipperand all others, sorry for the delays, despite what they say about 8.xxx to be the last for XP, I have only been able to use Comodo 5.xxx and 6.xxx under XP. Newer versions simply didn't work good for me, despite what they say!  I even had missing icons! As you may see on the screen, 5.5 works, but modern programmes have no problems to just go through it! When checking for updates, for example.

Conclusions:

I do not recommend the 5.xxx range for the modern days usage, It's simply too old. I'll go on with the investigations.

 

[Dixel]

3 hours ago, Saxon said:

I do not recommend the 5.xxx range for the modern days usage, It's simply too old.

Thank you, interesting observations. I am of the same opinion, it was fine up to 2015. I wonder if upgrading even makes sense.

[AstroSkipper]

1 hour ago, Saxon said:

Hi @AstroSkipperand all others, sorry for the delays, despite what they say about 8.xxx to be the last for XP, I have only been able to use Comodo 5.xxx and 6.xxx under XP. Newer versions simply didn't work good for me, despite what they say!  I even had missing icons! As you may see on the screen, 5.5 works, but modern programmes have no problems to just go through it! When checking for updates, for example.

Conclusions:

I do not recommend the 5.xxx range for the modern days usage, It's simply too old. I'll go on with the investigations.

 

Hello @Saxon! As I already wrote here, users reported in the Comodo Forum that the last error-free working version under Windows XP has been Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165. Have you really tried this version?  Actually, it should work under Windows XP.

[Saxon]

On 7/29/2023 at 6:07 PM, AstroSkipper said:

Hello @Saxon! As I already wrote here, users reported in the Comodo Forum that the last error-free working version under Windows XP has been Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165. Have you really tried this version?  Actually, it should work under Windows XP.

Hello @AstroSkipper 'I have been only able use comodo firewall/internet security 6818 under xp. Newer than it won't work. ''

https://msfn.org/board/topic/182219-comodo-firewall-last-win-xp-version/?do=findComment&comment=1194048

 

[Saxon]

''Note that Comodo staff whitelisted a malware twice, so I don't trust it much.''

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/comodo-firewall-for-windows-10.413789/

[NotHereToPlayGames]

22 minutes ago, Saxon said:

''Note that Comodo staff whitelisted a malware twice, so I don't trust it much.''

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/comodo-firewall-for-windows-10.413789/

But if you read that, you will find this line  --  to be short i tweaked it so I could use Paranoid mode without much hassle

I would not rely on that "review" because he "tweaked it" and therefore BROKE IT.

I'm all for "tweaking" software, I do it myself, but I don't turn around and blame the OEM when my "tweaked versions" isn't performing correctly.

[AstroSkipper]

16 hours ago, Saxon said:

Hello @AstroSkipper 'I have been only able use comodo firewall/internet security 6818 under xp. Newer than it won't work. ''

Hello @Saxon! Thanks for your reply! Your quote refers to version Comodo Firewall 12.0.0.6818 and is therefore version 12. However, I referred to version Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165 which is obviously version 8 and therefore older.

16 hours ago, Saxon said:

https://msfn.org/board/topic/182219-comodo-firewall-last-win-xp-version/?do=findComment&comment=1194048

In this thread, a member has also confirmed what I once read in the Comodo forum and therefore wrote to you:

On 1/16/2021 at 11:50 AM, genieautravail said:

Hello,

The last version of Comodo Firewall fully compatible with XP is the 8.4.0.5165.

After this release, you begin to have issues with the icon in the system tray and more and more issues after that.

TBH, I have not been a fan of Comodo for a long time, and it's a long time ago when I used it. Furthermore, I do not plan to test this firewall. As I already wrote, my firewall is Windows 10 Firewall Control Free XP 7.5.105.217 from Sphinx, and I am not about to uninstall it for testing purpose.  If anyone was interested in testing Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165, that would be great, of course.

Edited July 31, 2023 by AstroSkipper

[Saxon]

3 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Hello @Saxon! Thanks for your reply! Your quote refers to version Comodo Firewall 12.0.0.6818 and is therefore version 12. However, I referred to version Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165 which is obviously version 8 and therefore older.

AstroSkipper, thank you for fast reply! I thought the Finnish guy was talking about Komodo firewall 6, his post was rather confusing. There was several versions, like.

Comodo Internet Security 6.0.260739

Comodo Internet Security 6.0.264710

I already wrote before, on my XP install 5.x and 6x. were the last good working ones.

[Saxon]

4 hours ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

But if you read that, you will find this line  --  to be short i tweaked it so I could use Paranoid mode without much hassle

I would not rely on that "review" because he "tweaked it" and therefore BROKE IT.

I'm all for "tweaking" software, I do it myself, but I don't turn around and blame the OEM when my "tweaked versions" isn't performing correctly.

That's why I wanted to hear other opinions. But there's a thing, I can confirm, all versions of Comodo (XP ones, too) will glitch out, if the rules list is too long.

"The bug is that Comodo cannot handle long list of HIPS rules and will suddenly delete them all without notice."