Panda still claims to support XP, and has a free version https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/free-antivirus/

Thanx,r U sure,U have up to date data?
Last time I could not install it even to Windows 7,it asked me to install .Net Frameworks update 1st & then it crashed again always on 99% of installation & cycled this way 4ever.Then I gave up on Panda & installed Avira to Windows 7.
Where Panda is already installed on Windows XP,it is still functional & gets updates,but for about last 3 years I could not perform a new install on Windows 7 nor XP(on 8.1 yes),that was the reason,I tried Avira & Kaspersky on Windows 7 & AVG on Windows XP.
Where Panda is already installed,regardless of OS,it continues working,but when I bring another Legacy PC back to life & need to do a new install,Panda refuses to cooperate.
When did U installed it last time on XP?

It says "Windows XP SP3 or higher", but that could be out of date ... My would be XP system needs its motherboard recapped, can't even begin an install without resetting, and some definitely look bad
https://windowsreport.com/panda-antivirus-windows-xp/
Needs .Net 4.0 https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/deta … s.aspx?id=17718

Probably no use to you, as I could not say where to download it, but McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 runs on XP and still gets daily updates of the signatures. But it's a resource hog and will most likely bring your XP to its knees, which is why I only use it on Windows 7 now.

But if you want to try, and you can find it, it works on W2K through to 8.1 - it might even work on earlier windows, but I didn't try it.

Do you this computer to browse online or is it networked just for file sharing?
If it's just for filesharing I wouldn't even bother with Anti-virus, but if your really worried, you could disable the network card when not using the network.
If you do use the computer on the internet, then having something is probably a good idea. I also had McAfee Enterprise on a Win200 server I was running but also agree about it being a resource hog.

Matth79 wrote on 2025-02-23, 20:16:

It says "Windows XP SP3 or higher", but that could be out of date ... My would be XP system needs its motherboard recapped, can't even begin an install without resetting, and some definitely look bad
https://windowsreport.com/panda-antivirus-windows-xp/
Needs .Net 4.0 https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/deta … s.aspx?id=17718

Thanx.This explains everything.
The reason,y I could not use my installers for last few years,was that was Panda Free installers,thus I thought,Panda no longer supports XP,but now it is clear,the Free version was discontinued,that is,y I could not install it the same way,I was installing years be4.

& McAfee even never had a Free version.
I wished to use IBM ThinkPad X40 for mailing during traveling,but paying for an Enterprise AV is not worth it...

BTW most of my internet browsing is searching tech.data,specs.,drivers,visiting websites like this,but also searching for new old SW,like Legacy games...& this is the dangerous part,but mostly I download via smartphone,then connect it to PC & check the SD card for malware via Avira in Windows 7,but sometimes I download something directly into target PC,if it has net ability & antivirus,what is the dangerous part,is,when I am searching for an antivirus via the target PC,I have it unprotected-between enabling the network & finding the antivirus & as old Internet Explorer is mostly unable to download antivirus,but is able to download Firefox,since I connect 1st,I download & install Firefox without protection & then I seek for an antivirus via Firefox,download it & install it,all without protection,so with the risk,that antivirus,I downloaded,is not a real 1,but a fake,which is a malware in fact...???...
After I have antivirus installed,or I think or hope,I have an antivirus installed,I then download drivers other than for network card,which had to be done offline.
Maybe I should not let myself be lured by the comfort of downloading the needed SW directly to the target PC & download it via main PC with Windows 7 & contemporary antivirus with always fresh virus definitions & just then transfer it on flash drive to the target PC after a proper check by new antivirus,or maybe I should not let myself lure by...that laptop has WiFi...I could use it for emailing...I so miss,how I 1st connected 1 of my PC to internet & used for mailing...Dell Latitude C510 with Windows NT 5.0 aka 2000,that was my 1st home mailing...be4 that I was offline for 1st 8 years of my computing,& I miss the old style of mailing,that causes that,I am tempted to retro-mailing even knowing,how dangerous it is,but modern mailing is so boring,I love old laptops,old GUIs,if I could get a Win16 email client,I would not hesitate even a second,but that would even not be dangerous,as no contemporary virus can run on a Win16,but it is not only about a client SW,but also finding a Win16 network drivers is not very possible today...otherwise I would not bother with Windows XP mailing...if I just could add DOS+Win16 partition & get the WiFi running under it,but we know,that is impossible,as no 16bit WiFi driver exist,thus I am after the oldest possible way of emailing,not by explicit need,but by cultural need,or mid-age crisis,or so,or I missed the era of mailing via WFW(internet connection was very rare those days here) & I wish to compensate,what I missed...so sentimental reasons only for mailing on an old laptop...with 4:3 screen...

If wired is not practical, then look at some of the cheaper Wi-Fi extenders that can offer extra functions.. I have a Tenda AC750 (I think also called AC15) which does repeater, wireless AP from wired and wired client from wireless, I use it when I cant reach something with my spare cable and don't want to introduce additional Wi-Fi drivers on a system.
Also, as long as you have a NAT router (which would 100% protect a non-SP'd XP from the attack if that's still out there), then providing you are cautious about what you download - and maybe use a safer DNS, then things are probably fairly safe.
Also, while it would not like many modern sites, I would recommend the Offbyone browser to take to the worst internet hell hole and come out unscathed... it can't do script.
TBH. I can't remember getting a single hit on my antivirus, ok, maybe once when I was stupid

Does anyone can update virus definition for ClamWin portable on Windows XP? Main program and web browsers Basilisk and Supermium can't download definitions from https://database.clamav.net/daily.cvd

One thing that can be misleading is to use too modern antivirus definitions on old suspect software; as older malware that are not relevant on new systems can be pruned from the malware databases, but still cause trouble on retro-systems.

I encountered this once when looking through some old CD:s from a magazine that I knew had malware on it, and that was flagged at the time of release, but did not raise any alerts on a newer updated antivirus.

(The magazine was a local -90:s PC Gamer magazine CD, that had malware from the publishers own testing PC included - this was originally identified by a Norton Antivirus back in the day, but not flagged by current antivirus sw, as it was obsolete malware, non-functional on modern systems)

I'm also guilty of using my retro rigs to quickly download something like a pdf or known driver.

But most of my browsing/downloading is on a more modern pc. Internet on WinXP is more painful than fun these days and like you said. the modern PC's antivirus will find anything bad.
As you already have networking set up, It should be pretty simple to transfer files over the network between the old and new PC as well, either through windows SMB shares (less secure) or ftp.

Because XP drivers are no longer been updated, this means you can download at the very least network driver and store on a CD/USB/different partition or computer, you can then copy across the offline installer for Firefox and any other software you need and your PC still hasn't needed to access the internet, just your local network.

I do understand what you mean about old email. I am the same, but like most things have given up and use modern clients.
But if it's still working for you then great. I'd think email is a smaller risk then browsing. Maybe just run clamwin from time to time to check.

Matth79 wrote on 2025-02-24, 19:16:

If wired is not practical, then look at some of the cheaper Wi-Fi extenders that can offer extra functions.. I have a Tenda AC75 […]
Show full quote

If wired is not practical, then look at some of the cheaper Wi-Fi extenders that can offer extra functions.. I have a Tenda AC750 (I think also called AC15) which does repeater, wireless AP from wired and wired client from wireless, I use it when I cant reach something with my spare cable and don't want to introduce additional Wi-Fi drivers on a system.
Also, as long as you have a NAT router (which would 100% protect a non-SP'd XP from the attack if that's still out there), then providing you are cautious about what you download - and maybe use a safer DNS, then things are probably fairly safe.
Also, while it would not like many modern sites, I would recommend the Offbyone browser to take to the worst internet hell hole and come out unscathed... it can't do script.
TBH. I can't remember getting a single hit on my antivirus, ok, maybe once when I was stupid

Is this usable as RJ45 to WiFi adapter for pre-WiFi OSs to access a public WiFi on a trip?
For example from a Win16?
Thanx for other tips too,that special browser loox interesting.

ntalaec wrote on 2025-02-24, 19:40:

Does anyone can update virus definition for ClamWin portable on Windows XP? Main program and web browsers Basilisk and Supermium can't download definitions from https://database.clamav.net/daily.cvd

Will check it asap,for now I have ClamWin in use only on 1 tiny laptop with tiny SSDs,where other antivirus does not fit(Asus Eee PC 901) on Windows 7 SuperLite.
I am just now about to test ClamWin on Windows XP.Authors of ClamWin claim,it was explicitly built for vintage OSs & they will maintain backwards compatibility up to Windows 95 4ever,they claimed it,but I did not tested it yet,but as AVG was killed,I plan to test ClamWin on Windows XP soon,will share results,but as I know,it was little unstable with 2GB RAM & 2x1.6GHz CPU,I must finish current tasx,I have on the taskbar in my sleeping IBM ThinkPad X40 b4 I will test ClamWin on it,as with 1.2GHz CPU & 1.5GB RAM I await bigger instability than on Intel Atom,so I will try it as sole process for minimizing risx,it will crash down the OS,but maybe it is crashing on Eee PC,because I deactivated page file to spare SSD,while on X40 the page file is enabled,as it has HDD,thus no write limit.

ntalaec wrote on 2025-02-24, 19:40:

Does anyone can update virus definition for ClamWin portable on Windows XP? Main program and web browsers Basilisk and Supermium can't download definitions from https://database.clamav.net/daily.cvd

Recently I downloaded ClamAV latest virus definitions to test them with FreeDOS Anti-Virus 0.2.2 (an old ClamAV DOS port from 2010) from here: https://www.techspot.com/downloads/5213-clama … ase-update.html . These latest definitions files didn't work with my old DOS scanner, but you may try the link to download them for your ClamWin since it's currently supported.

Rwolf wrote on 2025-02-24, 21:24:

One thing that can be misleading is to use too modern antivirus definitions on old suspect software; as older malware that are not relevant on new systems can be pruned from the malware databases, but still cause trouble on retro-systems.

I encountered this once when looking through some old CD:s from a magazine that I knew had malware on it, and that was flagged at the time of release, but did not raise any alerts on a newer updated antivirus.

(The magazine was a local -90:s PC Gamer magazine CD, that had malware from the publishers own testing PC included - this was originally identified by a Norton Antivirus back in the day, but not flagged by current antivirus sw, as it was obsolete malware, non-functional on modern systems)

For old malware detection I have this:
•AVG 4.1 (DOS 16bit).
•AVG 5.0 (DOS 32bit/Win32).
•AVG 6.0 (DOS 32bit/Win32).
•AVG 7.0 (Win.32bit).
•Avast 7.0 (DOS 32bit).
U just confirmed,these r little more,than just exhibits of my old SW collection...
For new malware detection I have Avira & Kaspersky on Windows 7(each on other install).
So the final question is about filling the gap for detecting mid-age malware & protecting mid-age OSs like Windows XP,loox,ClamWin is the only hope for filling this gap...
& I have not just old PC-magazines' CDs,but even older PC-magazines' floppies,oldest 2 being 5.25"(original).
& of course,if some1 wishes my old antiviruses,just write me an email & I send them to U in reply,these DOS versions r really tiny(fits to a 1.4MB floppy) & AVG 5.0 also contains Virus Demo with harmless virus simulator showing behavior of hundreds of DOS viruses.

chinny22 wrote on 2025-02-24, 22:33:

I'm also guilty of using my retro rigs to quickly download something like a pdf or known driver. […]
Show full quote

I'm also guilty of using my retro rigs to quickly download something like a pdf or known driver.

But most of my browsing/downloading is on a more modern pc. Internet on WinXP is more painful than fun these days and like you said. the modern PC's antivirus will find anything bad.
As you already have networking set up, It should be pretty simple to transfer files over the network between the old and new PC as well, either through windows SMB shares (less secure) or ftp.

Because XP drivers are no longer been updated, this means you can download at the very least network driver and store on a CD/USB/different partition or computer, you can then copy across the offline installer for Firefox and any other software you need and your PC still hasn't needed to access the internet, just your local network.

I do understand what you mean about old email. I am the same, but like most things have given up and use modern clients.
But if it's still working for you then great. I'd think email is a smaller risk then browsing. Maybe just run clamwin from time to time to check.

Thanx for understanding & advices.
Fortunately my offline hobbies r 99% dominant over my online hobbies.
ClamWin loox to have most points.

Sabina_16bit. wrote on 2025-02-25, 01:19:

Is this usable as RJ45 to WiFi adapter for pre-WiFi OSs to access a public WiFi on a trip? For example from a Win16? Thanx for […]
Show full quote

Matth79 wrote on 2025-02-24, 19:16:

If wired is not practical, then look at some of the cheaper Wi-Fi extenders that can offer extra functions.. I have a Tenda AC750 (I think also called AC15) which does repeater, wireless AP from wired and wired client from wireless, I use it when I cant reach something with my spare cable and don't want to introduce additional Wi-Fi drivers on a system.

Is this usable as RJ45 to WiFi adapter for pre-WiFi OSs to access a public WiFi on a trip?
For example from a Win16?
Thanx for other tips too,that special browser loox interesting.

Mains powered, and my mistake, the model is A15 not AC15, though many others (even very cheap Aliexpress) with a RJ45 port are often trimode... Repeater with a wired client, AP mode wired to wireless, or full router mode
Not sure how well captive portals would work, might have to know the sign in page address

Aha, a USB one https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005003608793842.html
Wifi to wired, powered by USB... NOT a USB WiFi adapter!

PS. the A15 is now limited to 2.4GHZ on my network, as it has the "lazy" 5GHz option of just the easy channels 36-48 that don't need DFS avoidance, while for performance I moved my 5GHz network to the higher channels (in DFS auto select). Bit OT, but there are way too many devices which take the easy option, which actually means all share a single 80MHz channel, for a good many other devices, it's a compatibility default to allow them to cover the worst case of other devices being dumb

Finally. My testing wasn't in vain.

Currently best free AV for XP (mid-high end machines)
Example specs:
1gb DDR2
Any 1.8gHz or more dual core CPU (an 2ghz or more single core will also do the trick)
7200RPM SATA I HDD
Mid range GPU/integrated (eg. i945 or gf6100)

AVG 2018 (last version to support XP), virus database still being updated. Alternatively eset endpoint protection (the last that supports server 2k3 r2) at the cost of database from 2020.

Low end XP machines (also free!)
Example specs:
512mb DDR or DDR2
Any crappy 1.4gHz single core
5400rpm UDMA 100 HDD
integrated GPU (eg. i865 or i915)

Eset NOD32 version 6 (or any other)
Pros:
Good detection for well known pesky trojans (like Sality variants) with real time protection
PC usable while scanning
low memory usage
Cons:
Needs an license to update database (AV still works without it)
Database from 2012 (wow that's old!)
Will NOT remove every sality file after infection (MBAM needs to be used)

Currently I will also test the last version of NOD32 to support XP and AVG version 8.5 and 8.

If anybody has any more questions, do ask! I will try to help as much as I can.