Free antivirus program for Windows XP?..... Advice, please.

Forums: Computers, Windows Xp, Antivirus Protection
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I need some advice rather urgently, please.

I've tried to install Window's free antivirus program from this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/security_essentials/default.aspx

... having read the advice in this discussion:
http://able2know.org/topic/169882-1

I've tried twice now & can't install the program for some reason.

I'm wondering if I'm experiencing this problem because I'm still using Windows XP & Microsoft support for XP users apparently ceased in July of this year?

Any advice on what to do next, XP users?

Or, if I can't use the Microsoft option, any other reliable free antivirus programs you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance,
Olga

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Type: Question • Score: 9 • Views: 4,996 • Replies: 45

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View best answer, chosen by msolga

@msolga,

Here's a thought:
Maybe I'm the only A2Ker still using XP?

0 Replies

@msolga,

I have used Lavasoft's Ad-aware in the past when I couldn't afford McAfee.

http://www.lavasoft.com/

I think quite a few of us still use XP. I do.

1 Reply

@Butrflynet,

Thanks of that, Butrflynet.
Checking that link out out.

0 Replies

@msolga,

I'm using Avast these days:

Review

Download

1 Reply

@Ticomaya,

Thank you.
You're an XP user, Tico?

1 Reply

@msolga,

XP User here. Try Malwarebytes for base-level protection.

As for antivirus, Avast has gotten great reviews though I haven't used it. For myself I just don't scrimp on antivirus protection. $45 for a year is more than worth it given the amount of time I spend online.

2 Replies

@msolga,

I use Windows 7, Vista, and XP.

1 Reply

@Questioner,

Questioner wrote:

$45 for a year is more than worth it given the amount of time I spend online.

That's $45 too much.

I've used AVG, Avira, now Avast. Never had an issue.

2 Replies

@Ticomaya,

OK.
Thanks again.

0 Replies

@msolga,

I have XP, msO.

I use ad-aware...

1 Reply

@Ticomaya,

Quote:

That's $45 too much.

I've used AVG, Avira, now Avast. Never had an issue.

I probably wouldn't have considered the free antivirus option, had I not read the A2K thread (link above), a while back.
I'd always thought (not knowing too much about these things) that "you get what you pay for" in terms of quality & reliability.

It's reassuring to have people you "know " & whose evaluations you feel you can trust recommend the free option. (Pretty broke right now.)

Still curious, though, as I consider the options ..... any XP users who have managed to download the free Microsoft option?

0 Replies

@Rockhead,

Thanks, Rocky.

(And glad to know I'm not the last XP user standing, too. Wink

)

1 Reply

@msolga,

all 3 of my machines run it.

no reason to change at this point...

0 Replies

@Questioner,

Thank you, too, Questioner.

0 Replies

@Ticomaya,

Good to hear that it works well for some. I've used AVG in the past and had a few issues with trojans sneaking by.

How does Avast fair with malware and rootkits?

1 Reply

Reading away here.

Could someone in the know tell me what "sandboxing" means, please?
A lengthy detailed response isn't required.
I might not understand what you're talking about if you get too "technical", anyway! Wink

Quote:

Avast! Free Antivirus

Avast! Free Antivirus is my new top pick for the best free antivirus software in light of recent developments. Avast has steadily been improving its detection rates over the past few years and now ranks with the some of the best.

Avast has the most features of all the free antivirus with full real-time capabilities including web, e-mail, IM, P2P and network shields, boot-time scanning, and a behavioural blocker. The new version 6 brings even more features including an internet site ratings plugin, script malware protection and a limited (non-configurable) sandboxing feature. Although the sandbox is a very useful semi-automated security feature, the default settings involves a pop up to ask whether a software should be sandboxed for not - for the typical average user this can be slightly confusing though it can set to sandbox the software automatically. Lastly Avast is also light on resources.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anti-virus-software.htm

1 Reply

@msolga,

A sandbox is a tightly controlled environment for third party programs to run in. Programs for windows carry a verification code or 'signature' that AV software can check to know whether to trust the program or not.

Numerous smaller programs contain no signature, so the sandbox mechanism removes all the sharp objects and expensive china from the play area and lets the programs do their thing in this combined space to keep them from possibly damaging the rest of the house.

1 Reply

@Questioner,

Thanks, Questioner.
Sorry to be so ignorant about these things, but what sorts of "third party programs"? Ones which are related to the antivirus program & its functions?
Or is it about verification of any programs you might download?

1 Reply

@Questioner,

Questioner wrote:

How does Avast fair with malware and rootkits?

Well, as I said, I've never had an issue. Never had anything sneak by, in terms of a virus.

For malware, I use the Malwarebytes product. And Superantispyware. And Ad-Aware.

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Free antivirus program for Windows XP?..... Advice, please.

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