anti virus software for vista with 64 processor available?

[yogart]

What anti virus software will work with Vista Home operating system with 64 bit processors? I want to buy this system but I called McAfee and they say they don't support it. I think Nortonis the same. Are they saying that you can load there antivirus on it but they don't guarentee it? I need this system for video processing - how do I protect it?

[redwudz]

Are you running a Vista 64bit OS? Or 32bit OS with a 64bit CPU? With Vista 32bit, I use AVG Free, Spyware Blaster and SpyBot S&D. All my CPUs are 64bit, but I run most on 32bit OSs.

Here's a Vista compatibility list: http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List

AVG Professional should work with the Vista 64bit OS, but I don't think AVG Free will.

And Windows Defender should work in 64bit mode.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Norton Internet Security 2007 supports Vista 32-bit and 64-bit.

[yogart]

1)the system I want to get has vista home premium, so my guess is it is only for 32 bit, and there must be a better vista version for 64 bit only?

2)if vista home premium ends up only for 32 bit, then can McAfee work on it because it works on 32 bit, or will Mcafee not work becuase it is Vista. Thank you

[redwudz]

Vista 64bit is somewhat limited for applications. XP 64bit has a similar problem. I went with Vista 32bit, and no problems with the applications I run.

I don't know much about McAfee, but it is listed as working for the 32bit Vista OS on that site I linked to.

I like AVG Free, because it's free, and I don't depend entirely on a antivirus program to protect my computers. Most antivirus programs do a good job of stopping virus's but some don't do so well on Trojans, adware, spyware and other types of malware. And you may have more problems with those types of malware than a virus. A good firewall helps, even the Vista firewall.

Not going to questionable internet sites helps even more. If you visit Warez sites and other 'dark corners' of the internet, you need a lot more protection and you need to be very aware of what you download. For most of the rest of us, a good set of security programs will work quite well.

SpyBot and SpyWare Blaster are both freeware, work well with Vista, and are a good supplement to a antivirus program. They run pretty much in the background and you are not likely to notice them in operation. AVG works well, but with all those programs, you need to keep them updated and stay away from those 'dark corners'.

And watch out for 'fake' sites with both of those programs. SpyBot is at: www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html and SpyWare Blaster is at: www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html Don't download either from any other sites.

If you are on cable internet or DSL, and have a hardware router, you have another very good level of protection. Your computer is not directly exposed to the internet with a router, and the 'bad guys' will have a difficult time getting into your computer.

It's dangerous out there, so take care.

[yogart]

So vista home premium is disigned for 32 bit that McAfee can protect, even though the hardware is a duel 64 bit processors?

[JohnnyMalaria]

So vista home premium is disigned for 32 bit that McAfee can protect, even though the hardware is a duel 64 bit processors?

No - all versions of Vista (except Starter) come in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The 64-bit version must be installed on a system with a 64-bit CPU. The 32-bit versions can be installed on either a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU system. When a 32-bit version is installed on a 64-bit system, the processor runs in 32-bit mode (just as if it were a 32-bit processor).

You need to know which version (32-bit or 64-bit) of Vista Home Premium you have....