Windows XP/Vista multi-boot security question.

[SyncroScales]

Hi,

I have Windows XP and Windows Vista as a multi-boot. I was wondering about installing security software, and if I need two programs mentioned in this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2061604/windows-free-utilities-resource-guide.html

These free security utilities are mentioned:
- AVG Free*: http://free.avg.com/us-en/homepage
- Ad Block Plus: http://adblockplus.org/en/firefox
- Malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/
- Ad Aware: http://www.lavasoft.com/

I also have found the avast_free_antivirus program.

I am using Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows Vista currently, and need to change it when Vista's support ends in April 2017. I installed Avast onto Windows XP. I installed Ad Block Plus and Disconnect into Firefox. I did not install Malwarebytes.

When I opened Ad Aware it seemed that I could install it as a secondary malware protection program or it can install in the background. Is this true? It seems Ad Aware is a anti-virus program also, I am confused.

Avast free antivirus program doesn't have much of a complicated interface or I don't know how to use it yet. But Avast wants to fix my computer and I am not saying OK yet because it provides no more information.

Is AVG Free better?

I do not use the internet with Windows XP anymore, it is not the best idea with lack of support and it is way too slow. But I want some sort of protection since I still use these operating systems and old programs. So there is file sharing across OS's.

Thanks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I been building / maintaining Windows bases PCs since 1992. I find PCs on my test bench all the time from users with free software with a post it on it saying "I am infected, please help".... I then download BitDefender or Kaspersky free trial and disinfect the machine.... my sister in laws box had over 1200 infections, took about 4 hours of my time, multiple runs and several I had to remove manually. She was using Windows Defender and also had Malware Bytes, Adaware and Spybot tho I don't know if he was being honest as to how often she ran them.

Windows Defender scored 3.5 / 5.0 on protection and performance
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-8/december-2016/microsoft-windows-defender-4.8-164847/

Avast Free scored 5.0 / 5.0 on protection but only 2.5 / 5.0 on performance
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-8/

Kaspersky scored 5.0 / 5.0 across all categories ... for me, the difference is worth $10

 

[SyncroScales]

Windows defender no longer works with Windows XP or Vista. It apparently works well with Windows 8, 8.1 and Win10.

I am thinking it is worth the time and cost to buy a security program for ~$30-$45 each year and renew it.

Thanks.