[INFO] 64-Bit Recommended Free Security Software

[terry123b99]

Windows 64-Bit Recommended Free Security Software

Preface:
I thought since am a Vista x64 user, and I had a lot of trouble finding decent and compatible software I would lend a helping hand here and post my suggested applications which are native 64bit applications.

Anti-virus software actively scans files and executables for known viruses, trojans, worms and malicious software. It is suggested that all computer users should user anti-virus software and ensure it is updated frequently. While an AV may not be able to catch all viruses, the practice of updating and scanning will greatly mitigate the risk that viruses have.

Firewalls are similar to anti-virus software in the sense they actively monitor all activity on the computer, but isolated only to networking and Internet activity. A firewall mainly consists of three types of protection: inbound protection, outbound protection and heuristics*, which compliment an anti-virus software. One of the pains of firewalls is the constant need for user attention, but after using the machine for a while and training a firewall on what is permitted, critical notices should be minimized. It should also be mentioned that firewalls often cause a lot of connectivity issues for new software, so when installing new software (or using it for the first time), one should permit activity on a case-by-case scenario to prevent future pop-ups for it again.

*"Heuristics" describe a program's behavior. Simply, if a program acts like a virus, looks like a virus, it probably is a virus and will notify you for action. Sometimes heuristics is inaccurate, but for the most part they are right.


Anti-virus Software

• Avast! (Free)
  
  • avast! 4 Version 4.7.x
  • Complete native x64 support
  • Very fast and won't slow your machine down
  • Supports Windows XP x64 & Vista x64
  • http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
  • Screenshots: Flickr
• Avira AntiVirus (Free)
  • Detects rootkits, malware, and more.
  • Nearly the highest detection rate of all AV's
  • Complete native x64 support, backward compatible with x32, too.
  • http://www.free-av.com
  • Screenshots: Flickr

Firewall Software

• Comodo Firewall Pro
  • Looks amazing, works great and won't cause system slowdowns
  • Inbound, Outbound and System Heuristics
  • Detects malicious software (malware)
  • Windows XP x32/x64 and Windows Vista x32/x64 Compatible
  • http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
  • Screenshots:
    
    

All this information sourced from another site, for respect reasons I will not mention it here as it will look like advertising but if you wish to find out more information about x64 bit software or if you have any questions then just reply to the topic. Mod Note: It's recommended that people cite their sources, even if it's a competing Web site. It's even more respectful that original authors get the credit they deserve.

Hope this helps some of you new x64 users and if anyone needs any drivers give me a shout am sure I can help.


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Mod Note: Edited and added some relevant content to post, stickied.

[Arkerr2]

I have been using avast with my new vista 64 pc. It does work great, but I realized I didnt have a firewall. I was about to try to install Pc-cillin, but I heard it is not gonna work well in vista sp1.

Thanks for finding a free firewall!
I will give it a try later this week.

[§Joe§]

Thanks for this dude, i just bought a new computer with vista home premium 64bit and my old antivirus wouldnt work. I thought, I know extreme overclocking will have the answer, and here it is.

[MrObvious]

Does Spyware Terminator work? I like it because it runs virus and spyware checking and is very thorough on the spyware part.

[Odanez]

comodo firewall is indeed a good free firewall, I recommend it too. I used to have zone alarm free, but it caused more problems in the end so i switched to comodo.

http://www.spywareterminator.com/leg...uirements.aspx

^^ should work on vista 64

I also recommend http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download...yware/us/frt/0
It's very good in finding spyware. Also compatible with vista64

[MrObvious]

AVG isn't as good as it used to be. Sorry. If you want a free standalone Virus scanner I think Avast! is better.

Spyware Terminator just incorperates both virus and spyware, hence I recommend it.

YMMV.

[op1e]

Ditto on Avast, have turned 3 people on to it. Norton locked my Father In Laws pc up. He got his money back and I installed this. Good thinking on Commodo, I never realized i was running wide open like this. Installed it a minute ago.

[AMDGUY]

Originally Posted by MrObvious

AVG isn't as good as it used to be. Sorry. If you want a free standalone Virus scanner I think Avast! is better.

What happened to AVG? I've been using it for years & never had any problems.
What does Avast do better than AVG?

[Odanez]

avg antivirus isnt that good ,thats true. but avg anti spyware is one of the best free ones you can get. spyware terminator is also one of the best

[MrObvious]

AVG antivirus doesn't score as well on the virus rankings. Avast! scores better.

[MATA7]

avira work well on x64 and is one of the best AV

[MrObvious]

Avira is up there too. I would give that a recommendation.

[Odanez]

Originally Posted by MATA7

avira work well on x64 and is one of the best AV

+1

i use avira antivir, and german pc magazines praise it highly

[andrewj05]

I have been looking for a good AV and firewall for 64Bit since I have made the switch to Vista. Thanks for the info, gonna give it a try when I get home from work.

[rob_420]

i've used avast for 4 years and loved it on 32 bit systems...but beware if you have 64 bit that avast WILL NOT do a boot time scan..which blows...so i've switched to trend micro pro security 2008 for my 64 bit os, it has spyware, firewall, and anti virus all in one..and so far it works good...(no boot time scan either but finds some stuff that avast didnt)

as far as spyware programs i use ccleaner to clean up the files then i use spybot destoyer 1.52..works great

[colt1911]

Does Avira allow you to do a boot scan ? I'm running AVG at the moment and would like something alittle better. Ever since they announced AVG 8.0 's release my 7.5 version keeps trying to get me to upgrade to the paid version.

[dygital]

Looks good!

I tweaked it a bit and added some more info sourced from the responses in this thread. And I also stickied it.

~Joe

[NEW TO OC]

Spyware Terminator's Antivirus will not work on a 64 bit system...only the Spyware will work.

[skitchen]

avast! FTW! It's by far my favorite anti-virus that I've tried--free or not. I've heard that some prefer Antivir over it; I tried it for a short amount of time, but didn't like it too much . . . it was alright, just not as slick as avast!.

And now I must say, since I'm on the topic of anti-virus software: AVG is the most God-awful thing out there. Period. It is probably the single worst piece of software I have ever used. Some people rave about it (or used to), but I just can't understand as to why. I tried it XP two or three years ago, and it hogged resources like no one's business and causes all sorts of weird issues with programs that normally worked fine. I finally decided to uninstall AVG, and it was like night and day--the computer felt like it was new and seemed 100% faster. The difference was remarkable.

I've even heard of people having to take it off of their XP machines that have 3GB of RAM because it slowed down Windows immensely. There's no telling what it would do to Vista, which I primarily use now. *shudders*

Now I'm done venting. That felt good. Get avast!, people, and please, please steer clear of AVG.

[ElAguila]

Has anyone tried the Spybot S&D antispyware program for vista x64?