Best virus scan for Vista x64?

[Goi]

Hi,

I currently have Kaspersky Antivirus 7.0 installed on my Vista Ultimate x64, because I was using it before on WinXP and was happy with it. However, it is installed as a 32bit application, and I've recently read articles which claim that 32bit software cannot access certain folders in a 64bit system, such as system32, and this poses a serious security risk.

My questions are, is KAV affected by this, how grave is the danger, and what alternatives are there?

TIA.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I have SP1 installed, so that takes care of the Kasperky bug (only xxx number of files could be copied before a "out of memory" error occurred and the computer had to be reset). I am running Vista x64 with Kaspersky and haven't had any problems at all.

 

[Goi]

Well, "haven't had any problems at all" doesn't mean much in choosing a security software. Here's where I read about the problem - http://www.start64.com/index.p...=view&id=194&Itemid=60

I know it says KAV6 and I'm using KAV7 and correct me if I'm wrong but from the article this seems to affect any 32bit software running in a 64bit environment.

 

[Muadib]

Have you contacted Kaspersky, Goi?

 

[Goi]

No I have not.

 

[Rebooted]

I use Symantec Corporate AntiVirus for my Vista64 machine.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

I'm also wondering about this. Good question.

 

[Elstupido]

Antivir works very well on 64, and is free, if you can deal with one click of a mouse every day for the popup.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
Antivir works very well on 64, and is free, if you can deal with one click of a mouse every day for the popup.

I like Antivir also. If I payed for A/V, Antivir would still be my choice.

 

[The Keeper]

avast Home is what I use on my Vista SP1 x64. Automatic updates works flawless without any notifications unless reboot is needed and it doesn't nag about anything until it finds something suspicious happening, which so far has only been a hacked website I tried on IE on purpose.

 

[Ryland]

I was using Kaspersky on my Vista64 machine but it seems to have been causing BSOD's at startup on an almost daily basis so I switched to AVG free. I would go with Antivir free but it doesn't scan POP3 emails.

 

[hans030390]

AntiVir FTW.

 

[LightningRider]

I read that the issue with Kaspersky not reading system32 folder was fixed from another article on the same site.

 

[tranceport]

We use McAfee virusscan enterprise 8.5 patch6 on our vista x64 machines. Works like a charm.

 

[George P Burdell]

I don't know about "best", but I use Avira Antivir on both 32bit and 64bit. The one-a-day popup can be easily stopped (google it).

I would avoid Symantec and McAfee like I would avoid teh herp.

 

[Ryland]

I would use antivir also if it scanned POP3 emails (outlook) but it doesn't so I can't.

 

[Qbah]

Symantec Antivirus 10 Corporate Edition here. Best program imo, takes only 36MB in memory and has yet to fail me. It's a bit pricey though (50$).

Now if you're thinking that it is the Norton suite, you are very wrong... That one I would ommit like the plague. However Symantec Antivirus 10 is for me the best one around

EDIT: Correction, 36MB.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't think the lack of POP3 scanning is a big deal. You can scan attachments after they're downloaded, or it'll catch the executables on launch.

Edit:
I meant to quote, but I'm talking about Antivir if you didn't know.

 

[Ryland]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I don't think the lack of POP3 scanning is a big deal. You can scan attachments after they're downloaded, or it'll catch the executables on launch.

Edit:
I meant to quote, but I'm talking about Antivir if you didn't know.

That assumes that the people using the computer know enough to do the scan afterwards. I just try to make the systems as idiot proof as possible but my friends keep making better idiots to use them...

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: Qbah
Symantec Antivirus 10 Corporate Edition here. Best program imo, takes only 36MB in memory and has yet to fail me. It's a bit pricey though (50$).

Now if you're thinking that it is the Norton suite, you are very wrong... That one I would ommit like the plague. However Symantec Antivirus 10 is for me the best one around

EDIT: Correction, 36MB.

lol

Avira Antivir uses right around 10Mb:
avgnt.exe - 3,316 K
avguard.exe - 7,876 K
sched.exe - 540 K

And the popup is very simple to disable.

 

[Tbirdkid]

"Symantec Antivirus 10 Corporate Edition here."

hate that program, just like anything norton. maybe two releases before this last one i would admit it, but today no. what a hog that thing is. the interface thoroughly sucks too.

I work with avg, and with avast. the free editions are fine, but if you want to pay for it, there are additions to it that make it worth the money...

 

[Zillatech]

NOD32 is (IMO) the best AV out there that isn't free. Works great for 32bit and 64bit Windows.

I honestly haven't found a downside to this program other than its not "Free".

I don't use the full blown "Smart Security" but the "AV" edition is more than enough for me and its FAST!!! I don't even feel it running on my system! I am very sensitive about how software reacts on my system and most all other AV programs out there suck @$$ "performance wise". NOD32 0wn$ them hands down!

NOD32 Antivirus