Is 64bit windows more secure than 32bit?

Is 64bit windows more secure than 32bit? How much more so?
For XP?
For windows 7?

 

I would say yes. For one, ASLR is much stronger on a 64 bit OS than it is on 32 bit. Also, one needs to have a 64 bit CPU for DEP (there are rare exceptions like some Pentium 4's but for the most part you need a 64 bit CPU). Then there's PatchGuard, which is exclusive to 64 bit Windows (for whatever reason).

 

Yes and no. Yes in that, as said, certain built-in OS measures are beefier on 64. No, in that a lot of security software vendors either can't make their products as secure in 64 bit systems as they can 32, or, they don't even bother trying to be 64 bit compatible. (yes, I know, there's an argument that if the OS is more secure by default, there is less need for such software. I'm just tossing my 2 cents in.)