The current version of Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0 (6.0.0.299) promises x64 compatibility. We tested the promise based on the freely downloadable trial version. The net result is that it is “slightly compatible”, which is not too reassuring in the case of a security software.
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is listed among the system requirements of Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0, moreover, its x64 compatibility is emphasized in the product description. Initially, we were rather enthusiastic, and we carried out the anti-virus software test with this product. The results were disappointing. Based on the test, Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0 was installed as a 32-bit software, which alone would not have been a big problem. Amongst the anti-virus programs tested on the previous occasion, several were installed as a 32-bit software in an x64 environment; however, they include a 64-bit component, due to which they can access the entire system and indeed provide protection for a 64-bit operating system. Mixed-code antivirus programs raise further problems, but this is within the limits of acceptability. The ideal solution is a completely native 64-bit software, currently available from Computer Associates only.
It is important to remind the reader at this point that 32-bit programs cannot see the system32 folder when running under x64. When a 32-bit software refers to this folder, it is redirected to the syswow64 folder. We have discussed this problem in several articles:
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Examining x64 compatible anti-virus software tools
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Total Commander x64 – why missing?
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The possibilities of WinRAR in x64 environment
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0, quite astonishingly, operates as a 32-bit software in all respects, hence it cannot see the system32 folder during the scanning process. As a result, its use in an x64 environment is not recommended, even though it is claimed to be compatible by the developer. It cannot see and access the genuine system32 folder when one browses the elements to be scanned, either. We assume a very strict position concerning security software: even a much less significant fault is unacceptable, but this is a very grave problem indeed. See the screenshot of the test of the object recognized as the system32 folder here, and the screenshot of the test of syswow64 here; click here to see both. Both folders contain 1683 elements; Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0 does not recognize the system32 folder, and sees the syswow64 folder instead, in accordance with its 32-bit operational mechanism.
We created a directory named 0011223344 within the syswow64 system directory. When browsing, this does appear in the system folder recognized as system32.
In the meantime, a newer version of the software, 6.0.0.303, has become available for download, which contains some bug fixes. The updated version cannot see or scan the system32 directory, either.
