It seems that the latest batch of AV software is quite inconsistent when it comes to Vista, but it is especially important to secure Vitsa and tie it down in order to take full advantage of all the other high-tech security features built right into Vista.

The only real options for Vista AV are eTrust EZ Antivirus, Trend Micro PC-cillan, and ESET NOD32.

It seems that eTrust and Trend Micro are the only companies taking Vista seriously. Both have offered free trials of their subsribtion, but eTrust gives you a better deal:

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Windows Vista Build 5384 has been released to Tech Beta testers at Microsoft Connect.
Build 5384 is the real deal: Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 2 Milestone Build!

Contrary to public opinion and “leaked” information, Windows Vista Beta 2 is not a mere recompile of Vista 5381.1 and it isn’t 5381.4; Vista 5384 is Beta 2 and it’s official!
Microsoft has already launched the public download site for Vista Beta 2, but no more than that, only the site is live, but the build is not ready for download to non-techbeta testers yet.

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Barely two hours after thousands of beta testers around the world began to download Vista Build 5381.1 Ultimate Edition for x86, it has been re-released. Though those that were downloading can continue to do so and those that have finished it can go ahead and run that build; there are certain complications.

As we reported here, the x86 build of Vista 5381.1 turned out to be an unstaged CHK build (see linked article for definitions and explanation) compared to the FRE staged build distributed for x64 machines. Now it seems there is another factor in the mix: Microsoft Corporation has pulled down the download links to the CHK debug build for x86 and replaced it with a staged FRE x86 build. On one hand this new build comes with a staged setup which will install faster and on more systems than an unstaged build would, and it is not a debug compile and as such it will most certainly run faster and smoother than the other; yet on the other hand, not everyone is even aware that it has been re-released, and for those that are, that's two hours of downloading gone to waste. Unfortunately the new build is also more than a gigabyte larger than the first build.

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Microsoft has officially released Windows Vista Build 5381.1 today on Microsoft Connect.

Internal sources have confirmed that this is "what will be" Beta 2 – in a couple more days at WinHEC 2006. What we are seeing right now with this build is a feature complete Beta without the performance guarantee. If you want to put it in terms of practical use, etc. this is Beta 2; it will be compiled and recompiled several more times, mini-glitches taken care of, size and speed optimized, and maybe a couple of minor things changed, but for all intents and purposes, those of us that have been dying for another beta ever since the first; it's here. However, Microsoft Connect classifies this as being the Beta 2; so we're not entirely sure what's going on, but when we find out we'll be sure to let you know.

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If you came here yesterday looking for screenshots and captures of Windows Vista build 5365; you should leave here today happier, because we already have 80+ captures from 5365 ready for your enjoyment..
You can start looking at the pictures from within our Vista 5365 album or take a look at the twenty new breath-taking wallpapers in 5365 immediately if you so choose… or you can read on to see what's there, what will be, and why we need your help.

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Microsoft Vista Build 5365 has been released. We are downloading it at the moment, screenshots will follow in our spanking new image gallery.
This is a Vista-only release, i.e. no Longhorn Server attached, which is a shame.

According to Microsoft, this is another “refresher” build, with bug fixes rather than new features. We have been informed that regional fixes for IME and time zones, etc. have not yet been implemented, those will ship in all post-5370 builds. This build is quite a bit larger than its predecessor, with the x64 build being over 4 gigabytes!

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The Microsoft Windows Vista April CTP will be shipped "within a week."
This comes from a reliable source, and we have yet to be wrong.

What this build will be:

1. Most features are those of the interim non-CTP build 5342 (announced here, complete with list of upcoming features in future builds!);
2. This build is reported to be "easier on the eyes…" is this a reference to the new Glass? We don't know, but either way, it sounds great!
3. Most changes are the bug fixes. Now that Vista has reached (more or less) code-complete status, each build is expected to be progressively more stable, faster & more responsive to the touch, and more of a "real" OS.
4. It will contain an almost final version of Internet Explorer 7. Slight GUI changes may follow, but the code is all there, and mostly bug-free!

What the April CTP won't be:

1. If you can't tell by the name, the April CTP will not be "Beta 2"
2. This build won't be 5355 either, that one is, and I quote, "ancient."
3. It most certainly isn't a public release, sorry!