Free security software for 64-bit Vista users
Windows Vista 64-bit is an entirely different animal from its 32-bit counterpart; some of the software you have become accustomed to using may have to be tossed out the window (no pun intended) and replaced with something else.
One of my all time favorite free applications, Spyware Doctor (as included with the Google Pack) simply doesn’t run on Windows Vista 64-bit. There is no equal freeware replacement for it; the best you will do is Spybot Search and Destroy to compliment Windows Defender. Neither program is great but hopefully between the two, they will keep your system relatively free of spyware. Here’s hoping that the folks over at PCTools get on that 64-bit compatible version of Spyware Doctor, stat.
You’ll have better luck with anti-virus, most of them will be compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista so have at it. Your choices are Avast, AVG Free, Avira Anti-Vir and PCTools Anti-Virus free edition. Between those choices, AVG Free would be my choice given that it’s the most reliable and has recently gone through an interface overhaul, for the better.
Avira-Anti Vir would be my second choice but be warned that during updates you will be presented with ads urging you to upgrade to the premium version which is my "turn off" for that particular product.
Here we go with unlucky again. Firewalls; not all of them are 64-bit compatible. For example, the one I use on my 32-bit systems (PCTools Firewall Plus) is not compatible with 64-bit Vista. Wonderful. I’ve had mixed results with the Comodo firewall in the past but it is compatible with 64-bit systems so here’s hoping the incremental update for it has fixed past problems.
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January 7th, 2009
Your theories behind your choice of antivirus are misplaced. Avira has the best protection out of free and pay for antivirus, it catches many more than AVG does, your choice, no ads an not well protected or ads and the best free protection. Comodo Firewall Pro is the best firewall out there, period. It is completely secure, it has a lot of pop-up warnings at the start but in the end it offers the best security.
January 20th, 2009
64bit Vista runs great on my HP laptop I purchased 2 years ago. ESET has a great 64 bit anti virus program that runs smooth, very lightweight and with regular updates; it competes with the best. Also 64 bit allows Vista to take advantage of greater amounts of RAM. I have only come across a few apps that were not compatible with 64x but for the most part all of your most popular apps will function…better!
February 13th, 2009
what can i use instead of threatfire for my vista 64 bit
February 20th, 2009
Vipre from Sunbelt Software is 64-bit compatible. It’s a great, lightweight antivirus + antispyware program. Also NOD32 works on the 64-bit OS.
February 23rd, 2009
Comodo Internet Security is free and has a 64-bit native version that has a firewall AND antivirus built into it. Just choose the 64-bit version when you download it since there are separate installers for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
http://antivirus.comodo.com/
Change of subject:
Not really security related but you can get Firefox 64-bit (aka Minefield 64-bit) and Thunderbird 64-bit (aka Shredder 64-bit) too.
http://wiki.mozilla-x86-64.com/Download
hope that helps those checking this page for 64-bit info.
May 19th, 2009
it’s make my computer very becarefully,and very low,and not so quick take care virus and hacker,even
network,lan,wan.
Because mozilla-86 and firefox and chrom not share and conflict