Confused about security

[Mike]

I have Vista Ultimate 64 bit installed.
I have read that 64 bit is more secure than
32 bit, but that Microsoft still recommends
the use of antivirus software.

I noticed that some antivirus vendors offer
either an antivirus package, or an internet
security package with more features.

With all the improvements in Vista, I wonder
if need to get more than just an Antivirus package ?
Are Vista's security tools any good ?
If get an internet security package will it just
needlessly overlap (or disable) the tools that
Vista has already provided ?
Please help me to understand.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Ron Jon]

Vista base security has been improved over XP. The 64bit version pushes
those security enhancements further by only allowing digitally signed
drivers to be installed and higher levels of encryption for certificates etc
etc (I won't go into detail here cos you can find the differences on many
Vista reviews on plenty of expert websites).

However you will still require a decent Anti Virus package and a decent
application Firewall.
Vista 32/64 has no built in AV so that is a must.
The Firewall is improved over the XP SP2, and unlike XP, CAN be configured
for 2 way application filtering but it isn't very obvious (like commercial
packages like Norton or Zonelabs etc).

Easy option:-
Buy a Symantec or McAffee all in one product

Cheap option:-
Install the Latest AVG free edition Anti Virus app (7.5)
Purchase McAffee Personal FW or Kerio Winroute Firewall (or wait for the
free Vista version of Zonealarm)

Cheapest Option:-
AVG free edition
Use and configure Windows FW with Advanced Security, from Admin Tools (if
you are confident with creating and maintaining a strong rulebase)

Hope this helps.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

The use of antivirus software is recommended no matter what operating system
you run. There is nothing in any version or flavor of Windows that will
stop you from opening an email that says, "I love you!" or "Look at these
dancing pigs!" and infecting your system with a virus. You can't rely on
antivirus software to do that either but it can help by spotting (and if you
allow it, proactively removing) known virus threats.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Rick Rogers]

<heh><heh>...dancing pigs....<heh><heh>

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

The use of antivirus software is recommended no matter what operating
system you run. There is nothing in any version or flavor of Windows that
will stop you from opening an email that says, "I love you!" or "Look at
these dancing pigs!" and infecting your system with a virus. You can't
rely on antivirus software to do that either but it can help by spotting
(and if you allow it, proactively removing) known virus threats.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

I have Vista Ultimate 64 bit installed.
I have read that 64 bit is more secure than 32 bit, but that Microsoft
still recommends
the use of antivirus software.

I noticed that some antivirus vendors offer
either an antivirus package, or an internet
security package with more features.
With all the improvements in Vista, I wonder
if need to get more than just an Antivirus package ? Are Vista's security
tools any good ?
If get an internet security package will it just
needlessly overlap (or disable) the tools that
Vista has already provided ? Please help me to understand.

Thanks Mike

 

[Scott]

The use of antivirus software is recommended no matter what operating system
you run.

Agreed, but l bet you'd be hard pressed to find a Linux guru who
agrees with that statement.

--
Scott http://angrykeyboarder.com

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
NOTICE: In-Newsgroup (and therefore off-topic) comments on my sig will
be cheerfully ignored, so don't waste our time.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Sure. An OS that the user can't get anything accomplished in is PERFECTLY
secure. No risk.

<GD&RVVF>

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Scott]

Sure. An OS that the user can't get anything accomplished in is PERFECTLY
secure. No risk.

<GD&RVVF>

No comment.

I'm a Linux/Windows/*BSD/OS X/Solaris fanboy. Nobody likes me. ;-)

--
Scott http://angrykeyboarder.com

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
NOTICE: In-Newsgroup (and therefore off-topic) comments on my sig will
be cheerfully ignored, so don't waste our time.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Maybe because this is NOT the place to trot some of that out?

Seriously.

We are here to help folks with Vista problems. The rest is noise.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm