Is it necessary to install Internet Security software on XP in XP Mode? Or, does the host machine Internet Security software provide all the necessary protection?
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My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
CPU
Intel i7-980x @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Intel DX58SO
Memory
Corsair 12GB DDR3 RAM (3x4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 SC
Sound Card
Intel High Definition 7.1 Audio Subsystem - Realtek ALC889
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Display - LG Electronics Flatron L227WTG
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050 60Hz 32-bit
Hard Drives
2 Seagate Constellation ST1000NM0033 1TB SATA 6Gb/s HDDs configured as Intel SATA Array 0, RST RAID 1, Vol. 0 (C:\) & Vol. 1 (D:\), & 2 Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB SATA 6Gb/s HDDs configured as Intel SATA Array 1 RST RAID 1, Vol. 0 (E:\)
PSU
Corsair HX850W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
Stock Intel i7-980x Cooling Solution + 4 120mm Case Fans
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Multimedia Keyboard 1.1
Mouse
Microsoft Standard Wireless Optical Mouse
Internet Speed
DSL - 3.0 Mb/s download 768 Kb/s upload
Antivirus
ESET Smart Security 12, Defender & SuperAntiSpyware Pro
Browser
Firefox Quantum 64-bit
Other Info
Optical Drives: Pioneer DVR-216R & TSSTcorp SH-S223Q, Anker USB 3.0 PCI-E Card, Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 2250 Dual TV Tuner Board for Windows Media Center, Bose Companion 3 Series II multimedia speaker system, APC Smart-UPS SMT1500
Intel High Definition 7.1 Audio Subsystem - Realtek ALC889
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Display - LG Electronics Flatron L227WTG
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050 60Hz 32-bit
Hard Drives
2 Seagate Constellation ST1000NM0033 1TB SATA 6Gb/s HDDs configured as Intel SATA Array 0, RST RAID 1, Vol. 0 (C:\) & Vol. 1 (D:\), & 2 Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB SATA 6Gb/s HDDs configured as Intel SATA Array 1 RST RAID 1, Vol. 0 (E:\)
PSU
Corsair HX850W
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
Stock Intel i7-980x Cooling Solution + 4 120mm Case Fans
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Multimedia Keyboard 1.1
Mouse
Microsoft Standard Wireless Optical Mouse
Internet Speed
DSL - 3.0 Mb/s download 768 Kb/s upload
Antivirus
ESET Smart Security 12, Defender & SuperAntiSpyware Pro
Browser
Firefox Quantum 64-bit
Other Info
Optical Drives: Pioneer DVR-216R & TSSTcorp SH-S223Q, Anker USB 3.0 PCI-E Card, Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 2250 Dual TV Tuner Board for Windows Media Center, Bose Companion 3 Series II multimedia speaker system, APC Smart-UPS SMT1500
An OS running under a virtual machine is just as subject to infection as a physical computer. An AV product running on the host could provide very little protection to an OS running under a virtual machine. The host computer would have a level of protection from infection from a client OS but if it shares data that door would be open. I don't know if there have been any cases of direct infection from a client OS but I am sure that malware authors have been considering the possibilities.
Also understand that XP is no longer supported by Microsoft and AV product suppliers have warned that such systems can be provided with only limited protection. That situation will only get worse as time goes by.
