Is there an anti-virus for XP that doesn't require SP3?

In this excerpt from
Answercast #32, I look at a system that has not been upgraded to SP3 from
SP2 and the security implications of keeping the older system.

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Protecting XP SP2

You can try Microsoft Security Essentials. It’s very possible that they also will require SP3, but that’s what I would start you with. If that doesn’t work, I’d probably have you look at something like ClamWin because (if I understand it correctly) they even still support Windows 98.

Upgrading is recommended

In reality, my real recommendation is something entirely different:

• My real recommendation is that you give serious consideration to installing Windows SP3.

There’s a reason that a lot of these manufacturers, and quite possibly Microsoft themselves, are requiring SP3 as a baseline for their products to be supported.

• SP3 added significant security enhancements to the operating system.

• You want those fixes!

Security upgrade

So, I’m not sure what’s keeping you from upgrading to SP3; but ultimately, I would strongly recommend that you consider it.

• Backup first in case there’s a problem, of course.

• Then, go down the path of whatever it might take to get you to SP3.

Then, the question of prerequisites for something like Avira go away. Obviously:

• You’ve met their prerequisites by installing SP3

• But more than that, you’ve increased the security and overall stability of your system with SP3.