What Antivirus/Malware Programs for Vista?

[Ultralight]

I just purchased a laptop for my daughter and it is running Vista Home Premium. I'd like to know what Vista owners suggest through personal experience concerning both an anti-virus as well as malware programs for secuirty.

* Yes, I reaqd the above sticky but I noticed that only NOD32 is listed for Vista (but I could be blind).

 

[elcamino74ss]

I know for a fact McAfee Virus Scan Enterprise 8.5 works with Vista

 

[lxskllr]

I use:
Antivir
SpyBot S & D
Spywareblaster

And the built in Windows Defender

 

[mechBgon]

I would/do use Kaspersky Antivirus 6. I like the low reaction time (hourly updates around the clock) and good detection rate. It's also got detection for a fair amount of spyware/adware.

Also, use the built-in proactive defenses Vista has to offer. Get her set up with a Standard account so her Admin powers reside in a separate account that only gets used when actually necessary.

From a security standpoint, I would/do stick with IE7 and keep UAC enabled, so you retain IE7's Protected Mode and the other security benefits of UAC. I'd suggest going to Internet Options > Privacy, moving the slider to Medium-High, then hitting the Advanced button and arbitrarily blocking third-party cookies for good measure.

Check the system monthly with Secunia's online checkup for missing patches for third-party software such as QuickTime and whatnot, because the bad guys do target those types of vulnerabilities. Remove all unneeded software to reduce the potential "attack surface."

 

[fierydemise]

If you don't want to pay then antivir, otherwise Kaspersky

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I used Kaspersky until I had problem with it's Vista bug (16.4k max file copies per boot). Now I use Norton 2007.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Ultralight

* Yes, I reaqd the above sticky but I noticed that only NOD32 is listed for Vista (but I could be blind).

Consolidated Security Thread | Windows Vista / 2K / XP
Not Free:

Section G: Appendix

* Vista x32 Compatible AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, and Firewall Applications

For freeware Antivirus, AntiSpyware, Firewall, and AntiSpam tools that are compatible with Vista, please see Freeware Security Applications Thread. This appendix is a continuation of The Vista Security Thread and will only list nonfree antimalware tools (as the free ones are covered in the hot deals thread former link).

AntiVirus
o Kaspersky AntiVirus
+ Highest detection rate of any antivirus application
+ Updates every hour
+ "As of January 30, 2007, both of the latest versions of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 and Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 are compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista."

o NOD32
+ Slightly lower detection rate and system resource use than Kaspersky
+ "Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit"

o Windows One Care
+ Security Package by Microsoft
+ My review of Microsoft One Care

o Norton 360 Security Suite
+ Lighter on system resources than previous versions of Norton products.
+ Norton 360 Thread

For Free:
Freeware Security Applications Thread

AVAST!
* Vista x32 and x64 support
* XP x64 support
* Tutorial

AntiVir
* No email scanning
* Tutorial
* Vista support
* Disable popup by following John's instructions

AVG Free Edition
* Vista support (x32 / x64)

 

[Captante]

Right now I'm using MS One-care during the rare times I use Vista because I got it for free. (& yes I'm well aware its total crap!)

Panda also just released a fully Vista-compatible version of their Internet security suite which I havn't tried yet, but which I'll be installing soon.


Edit: Note that I'm currently running the newest Vista-compatible version of Panda IS 2007 in XP Pro & its working very well.

 

[RedShirt]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
I used Kaspersky until I had problem with it's Vista bug (16.4k max file copies per boot). Now I use Norton 2007.

I've never ran into this issue, and I've left my computer on for weeks at a time. I am running Vista X64, wonder if this is just the 32-bit version.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: RedShirt

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
I used Kaspersky until I had problem with it's Vista bug (16.4k max file copies per boot). Now I use Norton 2007.

I've never ran into this issue, and I've left my computer on for weeks at a time. I am running Vista X64, wonder if this is just the 32-bit version.

There is a large thread about it on the Kaspersky forums. It might be a 32-bit only thing though, I'm not sure.

 

[Xyclone]

I used Nod32 when I found out that Kaspersky didn't work. Hmm, guess they finally patched it. :thumbsup: