Best anti-virus program for W7 x64?

[de8212]

I had an old thread listied in my subscriptions but it's no longer there???? I generally use AVG free but some folks claimed there were a couple of other free anti-virus programs that were superior to AVG.

What anti virus software do you use w/W7 x64?

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

[tdawg]

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Same here

 

[sivart]

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

That's what I using on my one Windows 7 Pro machines...then again, it is an HTPC, so not much 'surfing' that doesn't involve trusted sites.

I have Avast x64 on my other HTPC running Vista.

 

[MrChad]

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

This is what I use at home now. Easy to install/update/operate, free, no nag screens, good detection rates.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

i'd also try out avira and see what you think, i like it a lot.

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah Avira is nice but No Free x64 version.

 

[wgoldfarb]

Yeah Avira is nice but No Free x64 version.

I use Avira's free Personal edition on Win7 x64 with no problems (They claim that their free version works under x64 systems). The only problem with Avira is the nag screen after every update, but if this bothers you I recall reading somewhere that there is a way to turn off that nag screen and the splash screen that appears at boot time.

I haven't tried Microsoft Security Essentials. How does it compare to Avira (in terms of detection rates, speed and memory usage)? Anyone have any info on this?

 

[JackMDS]

I was not aware that their free edition works with Win 7 x64.

The Security Essential is very good, and it seamless clean with the system.

The small differences between the top applications really does not merit any claims that one is better than the others.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Yeah, I've been using Avira's free AntiVir for Vista x64 and then Win 7 RC x64 since I first respectively loaded those OSes.

The nag screen is my only complaint, however it isn't too difficult using google to help figure out how to disable it, so that is no longer a problem for me.

I'll probably make the switch to MSE eventually though, I heard it might be better with less false positives.

 

[hans030390]

Antivir here.

 

[notposting]

Avast for the whole house (2 x64 W7, 2 x86 W7), plus the WHS version.

 

[Mem]

Avast for the whole house (2 x64 W7, 2 x86 W7), plus the WHS version.

I have tried them all more or less ie MSE,Avira,Avast 4.8 etc...but my favourite is Avast 5 beta,uses far less ram resources then MSE,looks better and quicker.

 

[flexy]

Kaspersky FTW

 

[QueBert]

NOD32, I think it should be called NOD64 for 64 bit operating systems but what do I know? Best AV program ever.

 

[Meghan54]

Used Kaspersky, NOD32, BitDefender a while ago.

Has anyone used G Data yet? Several comparative testing orgs have shown it to be quite good overall, too.


According to these guys: http://www.av-test.org/ and the report they did for PC World mag, they came up with this report and set of conclusions:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/182539/advanced_antivirus.html


Now, while AV-Test.org, the guys above, really chides the next testing org, AV-Comparatives.org, it does provide another perspective:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Their latest proactive AV test: (Aug/Nov. 2009) (reports are in .pdf format)

http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_report24.pdf


Their latest complimentary test, on-demand malware test: (Aug. 09)

http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_report23.pdf


This testing org. does a good job of at least completely explaining why they rate the way they rate.

 

[nerp]

Mse.

 

[soonerproud]

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

+1

 

[Griswold]

As long as MS doesnt fix the issue with MSE not updating signatures if the computer has been in standby at the scheduled update, its pretty much worthless because it will still claim everything is alright, despite it using outdated signatures.

Of course, if you dont use standby or are willing to manually modified the task scheduler entry to circumvent that issue and also dont mind a comparatively slow and resource eating scanner without a web-guard (more important than file scanners these days) and behavioral-scanner, then MSE is for you.

I think theres two things that MSE does good. Its really easy to use. Perfect for non-tech-savvy people (which makes the update issue that much worse, though). And its rootkit detection is indeed very good. But thats a thing I would expect from the company that should know the guts of their own OS better than any outsider should...