SAN DIEGO -- ESET, the leader in proactive threat protection, today announced that its upgrade to ESET NOD32 Antivirus software, version 2.7, with support for Microsoft Windows Vista will be available on Thursday, November 16, 2006. Existing users will receive a free update. The enhanced software is one of the few malware solutions on the market today that is fully compatible with x64 versions of Vista, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. In addition, the upgrade to ESET NOD32 also features enhanced anti-stealth technology that offers more comprehensive protection against rootkits through its ability to see the true state of running processes and the file syst em. Rootkits enable hackers to maintain control of a compromised system by hiding their presence.

ESET's rootkit protection is integrated into the ThreatSense engine. Competitors typically offer this kind of solution as stand-alone tools or part of a larger suite. ESET NOD32 makes it easy for users to be protected with minimal system impact.

"As online threats complete the shift from glory-seekers wreaking havoc to today's professional criminals seeking profit, it is more important than ever to have strong defenses in place," said Jonathan Singer, host based and consumer security analyst at Yankee Group. "Anti-malware products like ESET's NOD32, which include protection against viruses, spyware and rootkits, provide a good security foundation for businesses and consumers alike."

"Given that rootkits make it more difficult to detect intrusions in a system, they are one of the greatest threats today," said Randy Abrams, director of technical education at ESET, LLC. "ESET NOD32 version 2.7 protects users by offering improved rootkit detection and protection by proactively and transparently defeating active rootkits."

ESET