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Windows XP Anti-Virus Software Put to the Test, All but Two Pass with Flying Colors

AV-TEST has conducted a new round of tests on Windows XP anti-virus products

Nov 22, 2013 10:50 GMT  ·  By
All but two security products received the certification
   All but two security products received the certification

Windows XP will be soon discontinued, with Microsoft planning to stop releasing patches and security updates as of April 8, 2014.

With Windows XP computers clearly becoming vulnerable to attacks after end of support comes, anti-virus products are becoming essentials for users still running the 12-year-old platform.

AV-TEST has conducted a new series of tests to determine the best Windows XP anti-virus right now, revealing that out of 25 products, only two failed to get their certification.

While Microsoft’s very own Security Essentials 4.3 is still considered the baseline, AV-TEST says that Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 provides the best protection to Windows XP computers, followed by F-Secure Internet Security, Bitdefender Internet Security 2014, and Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security 2014.

As far as performance goes, Kaspersky Internet Security 2014 is again leading the charts, followed by Avira Internet Security 2013, AVG Anti-virus Free Edition 2014, and AVG Internet Security 2014.

KIS 2014 is also holding the leading spot in usability rankings, while Avira Internet Security 2013 is the runner-up. Surprisingly, Check Point ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 11.0 is third with a maximum score.

The only security products that didn’t receive AV-TEST’s certification are AhnLab V3 Internet Security 8.0 and K7 Computing Total Security 13.1.

So does this mean that you’re fully protected beyond retirement date even though Microsoft won’t be releasing any other XP patches? Not at all.

Microsoft won’t be rolling out security updates and fixes to address vulnerabilities found in the operating system, and even though anti-virus products could somewhat protect your computer, it’s still exposed to attacks specifically supposed to take advantage of these security flaws.

Windows XP is currently installed on nearly 30 percent of computers worldwide, which is not at all surprising given the fact that it was such a fast and reliable operating system. Still, Microsoft wants everyone to move to a newer platform, so you should really have a look at either Windows 7 or 8.1.