How good is Windows Vista security/tools compared to third party ones?

[InCogneato]

Well I use 64 bit Vista and Windows tools like Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and Defragmenter, and they absolutely fly and take up hardly any resources. I love them.

However, I am wondering how good are they at doing their job? I've always used Spybot on XP and other Defraggers on XP, but how do the integrated Windows tools compare to them in the end (not counting performance)? I also use Vista Firewall Control to watch ingoing and outgoing connections on Windows Firewall, and its a dream app too (64 bit and tiny footprint). But how does it compare to third party ones?

Your opinions on the best Vista apps if you don't think using the default is good? Thanks!

[bbz_Ghost]

The only thing missing is Eset Smart Security. :) Add that and your box will be as "safe" as a box can possibly be while running Windows Vista.

[InCogneato]

hey thanks, i already run nod32 which is awesome (and the scanner runs in 64 bit! blazing fast) and was thinking about the whole eset package but windows spyware and firewall tools seem to be great but i wanted to confirm by making this topic for example if maybe windows defender doesnt catch as much as spy bot or another example maybe the default defragger isnt as thorough as third party ones

[digital_exhaust]

i wanted to confirm by making this topic for example if maybe windows defender doesnt catch as much as spy bot or another example maybe the default defragger isnt as thorough as third party ones

Spybot was a wonderful tool... but was is the key word there and the fact is it simply doesn't keep up anymore.... and Vista does a fine job of keeping itself in order on it's own.....you don't need any other defrag application.