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64-bit Anti-Virus For Vista
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One of the (few) security tools that does not come with Windows Vista is anti-virus. Tons of people have asked about which one to use, and which are available. The answer is: most are available for 32-bit Vista already. Malke, a Windows Shell MVP, put together a list of 32-bit anti-virus programs that work on Vista.
Fewer of the programs area also available in 64-bit versions. I was able to confirm availability of the following in 64-bit versions:
|
Name |
Cost |
Notes |
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Avast! |
Home edition is free. |
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AVG |
$38.95 for two years |
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Avira |
Basic version is free |
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CA eTrust |
$29.95 |
Primarily designed for businesses and sold via site-licenses but can be bought stand-alone too. The consumer version is not available in 64-bit yet. |
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McAfee |
$39.99 for one year |
The web site claims the enterprise version works on 64-bit, but McAfee technical support is adamant that they have no versions that work on 64-bit Windows. I would recommend you stay away from McAfee until they figure out what products they actually make. |
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NOD32 |
$39 for one year |
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Trend Micro |
$39.95 for one year |
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If you know of a 64-bit anti-virus for Vista that is not listed above please file a comment and I'll verify and add it to the list.
Oh, which one do I use? None. I do not open e-mail attachments that come with a subject line of "This is so funny" or "ILOVEYOU" or "Naked tennis player". I do not use copyright violation software (a.k.a. file sharing software). And, I run as a standard user. The last time I had a virus that got flagged by a virus scanner was in 1992, on a lab machine used by a student; on an Apple Macintosh. Yes Steve Jobs, the Macintosh has had viruses for as long as Windows.
I figure I'm pretty safe without stuff looking at every file on the computer every time I use them.
Update February 20, 2007
Upon receiving a report that Panda is not compatible with Vista x64 after all I have removed them.
