Antivirus Software

[rthomas268]

Hi,
When in Virtual PC XP mode computer reports a risk - no antivirus software installed. I have Norton on the PC - does it need to be installed again on the Virtual PC?

Thanks,

 

[Francis93]

Hi,
When in Virtual PC XP mode computer reports a risk - no antivirus software installed. I have Norton on the PC - does it need to be installed again on the Virtual PC?

Thanks,

Yes, you need to install antivirus software on XP Mode. XP Mode is in an isolated environment.

 

[Victek]

Hi,
When in Virtual PC XP mode computer reports a risk - no antivirus software installed. I have Norton on the PC - does it need to be installed again on the Virtual PC?

Thanks,

Yes, the virtual machine OS needs the same protections as the host OS. Using Norton AV/NIS would make sense if you can add another PC to your current license. Otherwise I'd go with a free AV, such as Panda Cloud AV, Avast or the new AVG Free Edition 2011.

 

[karlsnooks]

Yes, get the best, which is free, non-obtrusive, small footprint, winner of many awards from independent security evaluators, namely, get Microsoft Security Essentials.
MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

 

[CarlTR6]

Yes, get the best, which is free, non-obtrusive, small footprint, winner of many awards from independent security evaluators, namely, get Microsoft Security Essentials.
MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

+1 Most third part AV program cause problems on some, not all, Win 7 systems.

 

[WindowsStar]

Yes, get the best, which is free, non-obtrusive, small footprint, winner of many awards from independent security evaluators, namely, get Microsoft Security Essentials.
MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

+1

 

[aceplace57]

I tried putting an old, XP version of Norton Antivirus on my virtual machine (XP Mode). It didn't go well. First, I got an error as it installed. Couldn't update a DLL in the system folder. Live update seemed to run fine. Restarted XP mode and there was no Norton Shield Icon on the taskbar. I started Norton from the start menu and tried a quick scan. Blew up.

I have the newest Norton (2011) on Win 7. I've used the older XP version on my other PC with Dual Booting (XP, Win 7) no problems. Apparently XP Mode isn't as isolated as we think. Thank goodness that system folder was protected. It would have been a disaster if the old Norton had dumped files into Win7.

I had copied the virtual machine image to another folder as a backup before installing Norton. So, restoring the virtual machine image was no biggie.

I don't know if I'll try AVS or not. Has anyone done it and got it working?

Really, XP mode is pretty secure without Antivirus. I never, ever use IE6 in virtual mode. I don't read email in my virtual machine either. All I do is run Word Perfect 9 (part of Correl Office 2000) in XP Mode. Usually the xp mode is only started for maybe a couple hours a week. There's not much time for any virus to get into it. Yes, I could open an infected file. There is always risk in not using antivirus.

I'd like to run AVS. But, after this Norton blowup. I'm not sure.

 

[karlsnooks]

I have win 7 I installed MSE
I have XP Mode I installed MSE

Zero problems.

 

[aceplace57]

OK, I'll give it a try in XP mode then. thanks!

 

[WindowsStar]

I have win 7 I installed MSE
I have XP Mode I installed MSE

Zero problems.

+1 +1 +1

 

[aceplace57]

I installed MSE in my virtual machine tonight. No problems at all. It did take 45 minutes to update it's virus definitions on a DSL connection. I watched tv until it was finished.

It's nice finally shutting up that windows xp security nag screen. That thing never gives up.

 

[Pusspa]

I installed MSE in my virtual machine tonight. No problems at all. It did take 45 minutes to update it's virus definitions on a DSL connection. I watched tv until it was finished.

It's nice finally shutting up that windows xp security nag screen. That thing never gives up.

you know you can just select 'change the way security center notifies me' to turn off the nag, but i am glad you installed mse.

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

I also use Microsoft Security Essentials in XP Mode because I have used all my KIS 2011 licenses up duel booting my 2 computers. It works very well on my machine & so far no nasties (fingers crossed) have slipped by.

I installed MSE based upon the expert recommendations of my fellow knowledgeable seven forums members some of which have lifetime experience dealing with computers.