How to keep your new Vista PC safe

If you've installed Vista on your PC or are planning to do so, it's important to update your security software as well. In fact, if you have a current subscription to security software, check your vendor's Web site to make sure there is a Vista version currently available—not all the security-software vendors have Vista software ready.

Although Vista is being touted as a more secure operating system, you still need to take additional steps to protect your data. For starters, you don't get antivirus software with Vista. The antispyware bundled free with it, Windows Defender (we tested the beta version last summer), did not score as well as other programs.

Different providers are using different methods to help their subscribers keep up to date. In addition, how you do so will depend on whether you've bought a new PC with Vista installed or upgraded your old computer with Vista. Keep in mind that if you bought a new PC and want to transfer a subscription from your older system, you'll probably have to remove the software from the old PC first, and you'll most likely need a key number to get the new version. If you're upgrading a current PC to Vista, some vendors, including Symantec, recommend updating your security software before you switch to Vista.

Here's the latest from a sampling of security-software providers:

BitDefender
BitDefender Antivirus 10, Antivirus Plus 10, and Internet Security 10 are all Vista-compatible and free to current subscribers. Check the site at https://promo.bitdefender.com/vista.php.

Computer Associates
The only CA product currently Vista-ready is its antivirus software. Antispam should be available mid-February, and others will follow during the month of March. Check the CA Web site at https://home3.ca.com/stcontent/vistaready/index.aspx for the latest additions and update instructions.

F-Secure
F-Secure currently has beta versions available for its Internet security suite as well as its antivirus software. Final products will be available online in May and in stores in June. Subscribers will be eligible for free upgrades. For more info, go to https://www.f-secure.com/vista/consumers/.

Kaspersky
Kaspersky's Anti-Virus and Internet Security are both available for Vista. Current subscribers can download them free at https://usa.kaspersky.com/vista/.

McAfee
You need to be a subscriber of the 2007 version of any McAfee software if you want to run it on Vista. Upgrades to the Vista-compatible versions are free to current subscribers.

If you're a McAfee user who bought a new Vista PC, uninstall the McAfee software from your old system if you want to use it on your new one. Then log on (using the e-mail address and password you set up when you originally bought the software) to https://us.mcafee.com/root/myaccount.asp to download a Vista version for your new system.

For McAfee subscribers who upgrade their existing system to Vista, McAfee software will automatically upgrade to a Vista-compatible version. The exception: subscribers who manually install McAfee updates will have to download the Vista upgrade themselves.

Symantec
Norton Internet Security 2006/2007, Norton AntiVirus 2006/2007, and Norton Confidential are all available for Vista. The Symantec site at https://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/themes/vista/compatibility.jsp has more information on Vista-compatible products.

Users who subscribe to the 2007 versions of Internet Security and AntiVirus should uninstall the old Norton software and download the trialware from Symantec's Web site. You'll need your product key (available in your Norton Account, the CD-ROM sleeve, or the confirmation e-mail if purchased online). The trialware will automatically be converted to an activated product with your remaining subscription. If you have the 2006 versions of those products, go to www.symantec.com/07upgrade for an assisted upgrade.

Trend Micro
Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 (formerly PC-cillin), Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2007, and Trend Micro HouseCall all work with Vista. If you are currently subscribed to Trend Micro Internet Security PC-cillin 2005/2006/2007, go to https://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/viewxml.do?ContentID=EN-1034344 for instructions on how to change to the Vista software.

Zone Alarm
Zone Alarm products are not currently Vista-compatible. A company spokesperson says a beta should be available for ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite in the next couple of weeks, with the final product likely being released in April. ZoneAlarm subscribers will be able to upgrade free when it's available.

-- Donna Tapellini

—Paul Eng