Here's another look at the state of antivirus software on Vista. I've also tracked down several more functional antivirus suites for use on Vista RC1, including one which is open source.
Having discovered that Vista is a cow to develop security software for, I thought I'd follow up on Vista's apparent lacklustre support for third-party security software.
If you're still searching for that killer antivirus for your Vista install, here's what I've found out about the other packages that are available.
Trend Micro PC-cillin
Trend Micro's PC-cillin version 14.6 is slated to be its Vista-ready edition -- both 32-bit and 64-bit. When asked about the troubles users have been having, such as confidence uninspiring reports of the pretty blue screen, we effectively got a blank wall. Possibly a blue one.
In fact, we didn't get much of a response other than a link to a webpage that linked to an email address for more information. An email address we had just used to contact them (brilliant redundancy through recursion).
To quote one of its engineers, "For your questions, that seems not suitable for us to have comments..." Given the route I was shown, I'm inclined to agree.
You can always try out the latest beta version yourself to see how you fair. If you upgraded to the Vista RC1, you may be more likely to have issues, so steer clear or do a clean RC1 install.
Microsoft and Trend Micro have partnered to provide a 90-day free antivirus package for Windows users, including Vista. Given that very public partnership, I assume any bugs will be ironed out quick smart.
F-Secure Anti-Virus
F-Secure Security Labs says it will have fully compliant antivirus software for corporates by the end of this year. Subsequently, "consumer release with Vista support will be available at Q1/2007, which is in line with Microsoft's Vista schedules," said Patrik Runald, its Senior Security Specialist.
When asked whether Vista was proving difficult to support, Runald's reply was somewhat ambiguous "We feel that that development for Vista is approximately at same level as developing solutions for [the] Windows XP operating system. Being a partner with Microsoft in multiple, we have been able to receive support and guidance for our Vista development projects."
This could mean it went to hell and back, twice -- or something else (thrice?), but that which we can't quite fathom.
Runald said that 32-bit and 64-bit editions will be simultaneously available when it ships.
I was unable to successfully install F-Secure Anti-Virus 2006 on Vista RC1, even under compatibility mode.
Computer Associates eTrust EZ Antivirus
Computer Associates (CA), developer of eTrust EZ Antivirus, was somewhat close-lipped and hazy at best on most issues. It provided the shy-turtle "No response."
It wasn't interesting in sharing what aspects of Vista were complicating development nor whether Microsoft had made developing antivirus software for Vista easy, either.
However, it has been one of the popular choices for Vista, as it just plain works -- such functionality is considered a feature these days -- without a great deal of hassle. You can currently collect a free one-year trial subscription for the Vista edition of this antivirus.
In terms of final launch date, it appears that this antivirus will be out later than most. We were told that the developers have been working closely with Microsoft as Vista grows in maturity, ancticipating compatibility to "...follow its launch a week or two at most."
If CA is working so closely with Microsoft, why it is expected to arrive later than others is anyone's guess; possibly realism. Much like the others that will be available, it will also come in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavours.
ClamWin Free Antivirus
You may also be interested in trying out ClamWin, a free and open source antivirus. We have found this lightweight antivirus to work just fine on Vista, without resorting to any form of compatibility mode.
This is impressive, considering Vista isn't yet mentioned as a specifically supported operating system -- so, buyer... well, downloader beware.
The main drawback of this package is that it is entirely manually operated. It doesn't yet feature on-the-fly scanning of files as they are accessed, however this feature is expected in the next major update.
Regardless, this is a remarkable application for something completely free.
So there you have it.
I'm still a bit bamboozled why Symantec is making such a big song and dance about how difficult it is to get Norton Antivirus working on Vista when most of its competitors seem to be getting along fine.