Antivirus for Windows XP - what to use after the end of OS support. AV-Test: Antivirus protection for Windows XP (SP3) Antivirus programs for windows xp
The meaning of the question in the title should be clear to everyone who is going to follow fashion trends and change operating systems, like gloves. As long as the OS is supported by the manufacturer, there are usually no problems with its operation. Unless the latest versions of programs will swear during installation.
Most XP fans care little about this - they, as if nothing had happened, continue to use old versions of the software. After the end of support, the situation changes dramatically. It manifests itself in the little things, but in the essential little things. For example, in the difficulties with the support of old antiviruses.
Antivirus vendors are guided not so much by the needs of a handful of retrograde users as by the intentions of the operating system manufacturer. And if Microsoft doesn't want to mess with XP, why bother with these antivirus labs? The question arises: where to get a free antivirus for XP, and even one that will be regularly updated?
What is the situation with the most popular paid and free antiviruses on the XP platform, after MS abandoned this system - this is the topic of our small note.
Is it right to stay on XP?
There is another nuisance awaiting users who remain loyal to XP. Since MS stops releasing security patches, the OS protection level is sharply reduced. Virus makers will continue their malicious activity, but they will not receive a decent rebuff.
The result is an additional burden on the manufacturer of antivirus for Windows XP, which it can either not cope with, or simply abandon such fuss for a small share of consumers. On the other hand, virus writers are usually targeting older OS versions, because they are the ones most organizations "sit" on, attacks on which make sense from a commercial point of view. An unstable balance of interests creates uncertainty. The best way to overcome this uncertainty is to update the system to the latest, or at least the penultimate version. This is a good move for anyone who is not chained to the pig.
Support for Microsoft Security Essentials has been discontinued for the general user, although, for example, the US Navy persuaded Microsoft to support XP on their computer, but the pleasure is not free.
Against this background, the statements of the owners of old PCs with the installed Windows 98 OS look like a paradox: virus attacks on their systems have practically stopped.
How did the manufacturers behave?
Let's put it bluntly - in different ways:
- Avira has guaranteed normal operation with its product until April 15th.
- Bitdefender - until the 16th.
- Trend Micro - Will support its product until the end of this year.
Some companies have shown sensitivity to the needs of users of not the newest PCs and continue to work with "piggy". Among them is Kaspersky Lab - they provide guarantees until the end of 2018. Symantec ignores the issue completely and is silent like guerrillas. Norton's anti-virus utilities are not guaranteed to work. How can a user of the old system be. There is a way out - the Chinese antivirus "360 Total Security" produced by the developer Qihoo.
What you need to know about this program. First, what's on it is completely free. The anti-virus has a fairly complete functionality:
- Protects network connections from attacks, that is, it works as a firewall.
- Tests incoming email for security.
- Controls the absence of viruses on removable media.
- Checks all installed programs.
Any suspicious code is placed by the program in the "sandbox", where it is blocked access to the hard disk and critical system resources until it is fully checked for reliability. You can download the program at.
The activation key is issued using an official key generator provided by ESET. Using the official keys will allow you to legalize your version of ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus and receive the latest anti-virus database updates. The number of generated keys is not limited, on the basis of 1 key is issued for 1 installation (those can be reused: for this, download and run the generator again).
Download the distribution kit of ESET NOD32 Antivirus with a built-in key generator
Instructions on how to get a legal key for NOD32 for 30 days
You need to download. Run it. After the installation wizard window appears:
1. Make sure that opposite the inscription "Download and install Browser with Protect" checkbox checked (without this checkbox, you will not be given a key).
2. Press the button "Install trial version".
3. Copy the received keywith which you can activate the antivirus.
* ESET prohibits posting activation keys for ESET NOD32 software products on the Internet. The Activation Key is issued after downloading during the installation of the free version.
In May and June 2014, the independent AV-Test laboratory evaluated 23 antivirus solutions for home users - free antiviruses and Internet Security programs. The operating system Windows XP (SP3) was used for testing. Antivirus settings were set by default.
Total points scored in security, performance and usability testing
The most recent publicly available antivirus versions are selected for testing. Antivirus software is allowed to update at any time and make inquiries using the cloud services. The AV-Test lab focuses on the realism of the test scenario and tests solutions against real threats. Antivirus programs had to demonstrate their capabilities using all their components and protection levels.
Tested antiviruses
* Free antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials was used as baseline protection (not included in the general comparison).
How AV-TEST tests
One of the most important evaluation categories used by the independent laboratory AV-TEST when testing antivirus is Protection. The technique includes tests that use all the protective components and capabilities of the antivirus.
The AV-TEST uses the Performance parameter to measure the impact of antivirus solutions on system performance when performing basic daily tasks on a computer.
The AV-TEST laboratory uses the Usability criterion to assess the usability of an antivirus solution, which is a test for false positives.
Test results. May-June 2014
Microsoft strongly recommends that all users upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Of course, this is good advice, but many users will continue to use Windows XP even after that date. What options for antivirus protection will they have? Andreas Marx, chief executive officer of AV-Test, according to the results of a survey of 30 vendors, found that all of them plan to continue supporting Windows XP even after the official closure of the project.
Forced decision
Make no mistake, if you have the opportunity to upgrade to a modern OS, be sure to do it! Once Microsoft stops working to fix vulnerabilities and security holes, Windows XP will be like a target in the dash. Of course, antivirus can potentially block exploits that use system vulnerabilities to attack. However, it is highly likely that he will not cope with his task. In normal practice, there is interaction between a fully updated OS and an antivirus. As of April, Windows XP will no longer be able to fulfill its portion of this partnership.
End of an era
Perhaps the biggest surprise of this study is the news that Microsoft will continue to support Microsoft Security Essentials (as well as enterprise security solutions) for Windows XP through July 14, 2015. The company's blog entry confirms this: “ We will help organizations successfully complete migration to new operating systems».
Avira, Bitdefender and Trend Micro told AV-Test that they have scheduled a support end date for their Windows XP products. Avira will end support on April 8, 2015, Bitdefender in January 2016 (2017 for enterprise solutions), and Trend Micro on January 30, 2017. If you are using Windows XP and are using one of these products, you still have time to plan your migration strategy.
Let's wait and see
Half of the vendors surveyed said they have no specific plans to end support for their Windows XP products, and will continue to support at least the next two years. Some companies have reported deadlines, but admitted the possibility that they could be extended. VIPRE publisher ThreatTrack has promised support for Windows XP through April 2015 or later. Sophos will support the legacy system until September 30, 2015, while Norman and Qihoo will continue to run the OS until January 2016. Let's say again that all these vendors can roll over support if there is a need.
XP enthusiasm
Several vendors have promised long-term support for Windows XP. Kaspersky Lab will continue to support it until 2018 (2016 for corporate solutions). Webroot will work with the system until April 2019 or even later. Symantec has made no decision at all to end support for XP. On the other hand, the position of Norton products also provides for the premature end of support, we simply do not know the exact information.
The study contains detailed information on the vendor's positions, and also includes useful recommendations for improving security after the official end of system support. Marks suggests dropping unsupported Internet Explorer in favor of Chrome or Firefox. The same should be done with the mail client, it is better not to use Outlook Express.
So how will it be? Are you really going to ditch Windows XP? If circumstances force you to use Windows XP, remember that your risk level will increase. And be sure to choose an antivirus that will continue to support this OS.
