Xblog: Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit

Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit

Christopher Smith — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:34:00 -0800

Yes, I’m lazy.

I waited and waited to install anti-virus software on my 64-bit Vista Ultimate (how you can label some edition of Vista as “Ultimate” but not bundle anti-virus software is beyond me….). I was basically waiting for two things: a sale on anti-virus software and some anti-virus software that cockily proclaimed it supported 64-bit Vista. Most anti-virus software includes kernel-level hooks these days, so it didn’t seem likely that dirty ol’ 32-bit software would do the trick. Newegg decided to have a sale on Trend Micro’s Internet Security such that after rebate the cost was basically just taxes and shipping and the product label said “64-bit Vista supported”, so I went for it.

The install was pretty straight forward until a message appeared indicating that Trend Micro needed a software update that “optimized performance” be installed on my Vista system before it could itself install. Then a dialog popped up asking me if I’d like to install the hotfix for KB931365. Unlike on this blog there was no link to get more information on the hotfix, and of course the installer had helpfully suggested that all windows and all additional software be shut down during the install, so if this was your only computer, you were kind of SOL for uncovering what KB93165 was before approving the install.

Fortunately, I had other computers from which to look this kind of thing up, and from that I learned what those of you who followed the above link already know: this wasn’t just some performance fix, it was a fix for a BSOD, and would be triggered by the install of any anti-virus filter driver!

But wait, it gets better: the hotfix for this has been around in its present form since March 2007, and it looks like it first appeared at least as far back as January. Microsoft’s regular security update rounds have yet to include a fix for this.

The implications seem clear to me: either Microsoft doesn’t have much confidence in this fix or they don’t feel installing anti-virus software on Vista is important… most likely both. This is a bug that literally crashes a computer when installing software everyone should be installing… and yet they haven’t been able to roll out a long term fix after 10+ months? Please.

Here’s looking to see if it makes SP1.

"Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit" by Christopher Smith

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:57:02 -0700

Rachel: Ummm. yeah. I just went ahead and installed the hotfix and all was well.

"Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit" by Rachel

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:56:17 -0700

Did you ever get the problem resolved? I am having the same problem, but I have the 32-bit platform. Please let me know!

"Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit" by Christopher Smith

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:39:07 -0800

I hear you a bit on this brian, but aren’t these the same niggly little behaviors that 64-bit Windows needs to emulate in order to allow 32-bit programs to still run in a compatible fashion. AFAIK, with the notable exception of superviser mode level hacks, most viruses and spyware out there run just fine in a 64-bit world.

"Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit" by brian

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:50:43 -0800

Many of the security consessions made on the 32 bit platform to allow Anti-Virus software to work, are the very same holes that virus use. On x64 many of those holes are plugged.

I don’t think anti-virus on x64 is very important. Just like anti-virus on a mac isn’t important. If you plug the security holes, you don’t need anti-virus. You only need virus cleaning software for when you are infected.

"Finally Got Anti-Virus Software On Vista 64-bit" by Corey Porter

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:33:57 -0800

You know, Linux + Wine can run most of the applications that you might want Windows for. You really out to give it a try. It’s free (AS IN BEER AND TALKING!), you know.