64bit Viruses?

[Spikey00]

I am interested in whether or not x64 viruses truly exist--from minimal results from Google, I can assume they are by far less common in contrast with x86 viruses; therefore, is it safe to say viruses intended for x86 cannot infect a system loaded with a x64 OS?

In overall, why aren't there more x64 threats (unless I am mistaken), and does this offer any assurance at all (excluding false security via user 'invicibility' mentality) for the average x64 user?  I understand that x64 has only recently began to emerge during these latest years beyond the simple 4GB RAM limit, but surely there would be far more viruses being made in accommodation, unless x64 is a castle atop the hill with the drop-down bridge whereas x86 is the simple village.

[x4000]

Given that x86 programs are fully capably of running on x64 in compatibility mode that provides a faux-32bit runtime environment, I wouldn't expect that being on a 64bit OS would provide any sort of protection whatsoever.  I've never heard that mentioned as any sort of a benefit of being on a 64bit OS, either.  I'm not an expert on this sort of thing by any stretch, but I imagine that people continue to write 32bit viruses in order to hit everyone, 64bit users included.

[orzelek]

64 bit system can offer a bit of advantage from what I know.

Certain windows functions (from process management from what I seen on msdn) will return you only data for 32bit part of application for example. And things like windows kernel and for example drivers are required to run in 64bit mode so virus needs to be at least 64bit aware to be able to target them probably.

[Spikey00]

Ah, then I hath been mislead!

Thanks for information (despite it being an unfortunate reality).

[Echo35]

64 bit system can offer a bit of advantage from what I know.

Certain windows functions (from process management from what I seen on msdn) will return you only data for 32bit part of application for example. And things like windows kernel and for example drivers are required to run in 64bit mode so virus needs to be at least 64bit aware to be able to target them probably.

64 Bit is more secure (Somewhat), but 32 Bit viruses can still get to you. Though, I don't see why you couldn't have a 64 Bit Virus, other than it really wouldn't be able to do much more to your system. Since not every computer can run 64 Bit software, but every computer can run 32 Bit software, it makes a lot more sense from a Black Hat stand point to make something everyone can be affected by.

[Spikey00]

I was hoping that for some reason, while 64 is backward compatible with 32, that viruses would be the rare exception.  Well, while I wouldn't try to infect my computer intentionally to see, I was hoping to have this cleared up.

Thanks again on the answers.

[Echo35]

I was hoping that for some reason, while 64 is backward compatible with 32, that viruses would be the rare exception.  Well, while I wouldn't try to infect my computer intentionally to see, I was hoping to have this cleared up.

Thanks again on the answers.

Behold, the glory of Virtualization.

[Spikey00]

(Consider it lazy that I never bothered trying Sandbox and the like.)