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

[Dixel]

On 7/10/2024 at 8:59 AM, AstroSkipper said:

XP-compatible release of Comodo Antivirus was the version 12.0.0.6818

That one I don't like due to the childish looking UI with those big, bright buttons, by any chance, dear @AstroSkipper, do you know what was the last version without it? Thank you.

[AstroSkipper]

2 hours ago, Dixel said:

That one I don't like due to the childish looking UI with those big, bright buttons, by any chance, dear @AstroSkipper, do you know what was the last version without it? Thank you.

Sorry, no clue! I had been using Comodo programmes only a short time in the past. Maybe, some others here can say more about the different versions of Comodo.  I used the Comodo Firewall for the longest time (some months). But all that is long time ago.

So, here is my next call to all users of Comodo under Windows XP.  This thread needs information about Comodo Antivirus, Comodo Internet Security and Comodo Firewall. Especially users running Windows XP in a VM or users running VMs in general might test some of the last compatible versions and report here.  That would be very helpful as I cannot test all software by myself.  

And here is what I know about the last compatible versions which had been running error-free:
Comodo Antivirus 12.0.0.6818
Comodo Internet Security 12.0.0.6818
Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165
Now, we need confirmations and information by testing these versions and maybe others. 

Edited July 11, 2024 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[Dixel]

5 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Comodo Antivirus 12.0.0.6818
Comodo Internet Security 12.0.0.6818
Comodo Firewall 8.4.0.5165
Now, we need confirmations and information by testing these versions and maybe others. 

I still have Comodo Firewall without Geek Buddy, without Antivirus, it's on my old Siemens laptop with Geforce 6600 mobile and Core Duo T7200.

Sadly, I can't attest to any of these precise versions, the reason - they are too new to my taste.

Overall , Comodo 5.xxxx and 6xxxx. has a glitch, when too many IPs are added, it may say "oops, we've encountered a bug", and it quits, all until you reboot.

Hope this helps.

[genieautravail]

@AstroSkipper

Be careful with SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition 10.0.1254.

After installation, at launch I have many issues:

DLL can't be initialized

Can't create a file that already exist

...

I can't access to the interface of the software.

I think that for XP it's game over since long time for a new install.

Regards

Edited July 11, 2024 by genieautravail

[AstroSkipper]

4 hours ago, genieautravail said:

@AstroSkipper

Be careful with SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition 10.0.1254.

After installation, at launch I have many issues:

DLL can't be initialized

Can't create a file that already exist

...

I can't access to the interface of the software.

I think that for XP it's game over since long time for a new install.

Regards

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition works absolutely fine here. No issues. No DLL problems. I can access all features. I think your system is the causer. You can alternatively try the installer version 10.0.1250 as this version was the one before incompatibilities with the programme appeared the first time. BTW, I have been using SUPERAntiSpyware since 2007 without any serious issues. So, please check your system first before posting issues one can't confirm!

Edited July 11, 2024 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

@genieautravail BTW, I tested the SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition last night. The installation worked without any problems. Also the update of the programme to version 10.0.1266 and the update of the signatures database. Additionally, I carried out a function check. Everything ran as it should.  TBH, I have no idea what's going on in your Windows XP system.  But one thing is clear. Your hasty conclusions are simply wrong. And this is unfortunately not the first time. 

Edited July 11, 2024 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[AstroSkipper]

Wow! The interest in Comodo security programmes seems to be huge. 

[NotHereToPlayGames]

Back when I used software-firewall versus hardware-firewall, Comodo was my favorite by far.

But I intentionally stopped upgrading beyond Comodo Personal Firewall 2.4.18.184.

Strictly speaking of my "ancient" XP machines.

[AstroSkipper]

5 minutes ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

Back when I used software-firewall versus hardware-firewall, Comodo was my favorite by far.

But I intentionally stopped upgrading beyond Comodo Personal Firewall 2.4.18.184.

Strictly speaking of my "ancient" XP machines.

Thanks for your reply! Do you still use this version on an old machine?

[NotHereToPlayGames]

5 minutes ago, AstroSkipper said:

Do you still use this version on an old machine?

Yes.  A 20yr old IBM ThinkPad T42.  But it's not an everyday XP.  It's used for tuning aftermarket turbo project cars.

[AstroSkipper]

10 minutes ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

Yes.  A 20yr old IBM ThinkPad T42.  But it's not an everyday XP.  It's used for tuning aftermarket turbo project cars.

Great! Does this ancient version Comodo Firewall 2.4.18.184 do its job properly under Windows XP in these days? Any issues? And can you provide some facts, screenshots and release notes regarding this version? The problem is I can't install this version on my machine as it would interfere with my Windows 10 Firewall Control which I would never uninstall.

Edited July 12, 2024 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[NotHereToPlayGames]

24 minutes ago, AstroSkipper said:

Does this ancient version Comodo Firewall 2.4.18.184 do its job properly under Windows XP in these days?

In my opinion, BETTER than anything offered in this thread!  I have trial-ran Windows 10 Firewall Control and no, it did not change my opinion of Comodo Firewall 2.4.18.184.

 

25 minutes ago, AstroSkipper said:

can you provide <snip> screenshots

Nope.  That ThinkPad T42 is a real POS.  It's used solely out in the garage to tune turbos.

I do not have the "patience" to do anything else with it.  It has all of my automotive engine control module software on it otherwise I would have smashed it with a hammer a decade ago.

What takes 30 seconds to do with a 15yr old computer takes 3 minutes on that 20yr old POS.

And that's with me tweaking and optimizing every far-fetched corner of XP.

To each their own, of course, but I personally do not advise anybody "in their right mind" to use a 20yr old computer.

[AstroSkipper]

1 hour ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

In my opinion, BETTER than anything offered in this thread!  I have trial-ran Windows 10 Firewall Control and no, it did not change my opinion of Comodo Firewall 2.4.18.184.

To each their own, of course. IMHO, Windows 10 Firewall Control Plus XP 7.5.105.217 is the best firewall for Windows XP ever. I am able to control each programme or system component. And I can easily create rules or zones according to my needs.
But as you said . Anyway! Thanks for your opinion!

PS:

1 hour ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

but I personally do not advise anybody "in their right mind" to use a 20yr old computer.

This remark was probably meant more as a joke. People who frequent MSFN and the Windows XP subforum often have old computers that are very often still running Windows XP. This thread was created by me precisely for this target group, besides others, of course. No one here is encouraged or forced to use a 20-year-old computer or whatever else.

Edited July 12, 2024 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[NotHereToPlayGames]

In Comodo 2.4.18.184, I can break my rules down not only by app, but by the app that launched the app.

For example, I can launch my web browser from the start menu and it would have one set of rules.
Launch the same exact web browser from a desktop shortcut and it would have an entirely different set of rules.
Launch the same exact web browser from File Manager and it would have a third entirely different set of rules.
Launch the same exact web browser from Email Program #1 and it would have a fourth set of rules.
Launch the same exact browser from Email Program #2 and it would have a fifth set of rules.

And, most importantly, if I am INSTALLING a program and that INSTALLER launches the same exact web browser, all traffic is disabled wholly and completely because the launch sequence did not fit one of the five sets of rules.

[NotHereToPlayGames]

1 hour ago, AstroSkipper said:

This remark was probably meant more as a joke.

Nope, not in the least.  Even MSFN members ADMIT that they don't use their "ancient" XP computers exclusively.

Ditch your tablet, ditch your phone, ditch anything and everything othat than your "beloved" ancient XP then we (any one or all here at MSFN) shall have this conversation again.