Online virus scanning is carried out using specialized services that use anti-virus scanner technologies in their work. Such an online service uses a number of different anti-virus engines during scanning, which check a file or link against their databases.
An online service for checking suspicious files and links for viruses, it can be useful if there is no antivirus program on the computer, for additional checking of the file by means of some or more antiviruses.
Timely checking the file for viruses online and checking links for viruses online will allow you to detect viruses and other malicious software. During the test, false positives are possible.
Keep in mind that checking files using an online service cannot protect your computer from infection, services only inform. To disinfect files, use anti-virus scanners that run directly on your computer.
Among the services mentioned in this article, there are services that use the technologies of several anti-virus scanners for analysis, and services that check for malware using the tools of one manufacturer.
This article discusses anti-virus scanners running on an online service that do not affect the computer. Cloud-based antivirus scanners (, etc.), launched directly from a computer, are not literally online services.
The service checks for viruses online using more than 62 antivirus scanners. Anti-virus databases of scanners are automatically updated.
This is the most famous online virus scanning service in the world. VirusTotal.com supports work in Russian.
The free VirusTotal service checks files and links. The scan results are shown for each anti-virus scanner.
To check for viruses, you must add a file from your computer or a link to a web page (URL address) in the corresponding field. The maximum size of a scanned file is 128 MB.
Add a file or link, wait for the scan to finish, and then get a detailed scan result (detection rate) for each antivirus utility. Virus Total shows the reputation of the file, according to users (this indicator should be the last to focus on).
A special VirusTotal Uploader application sends files for verification to VirusTotal.com directly from your computer. There are extensions for popular browsers. Read more about working with VirusTotal.
The service from OPSWAT checks for virus threats using 43 antivirus scanners.
Metadefender Online (formerly Metascan Online) operates in English. Metadefender Cloud supports scanning files up to 140 MB in size. It is possible to analyze files, scan an IP address using 13 services for monitoring the reputation of IP addresses.
After the scan is completed, you will see the scan results for each virus scanner.
Dr.Web online
Dr.Web online is a free service for checking files for malware. The Dr.Web online service has two separate pages for checking files and links (URLs).
In Dr Web, online file scanning is limited to 10 MB. Add a file, click on the "Check" button.
Read more about working with the service. The Dr.Web Link Checker extension for checking web pages and downloaded files is supported by popular browsers.
Kaspersky VirusDesk
Kaspersky VirusDesk is a free online antivirus service for checking files and links for known threats.
The service supports files up to 50 MB in size. Kaspersky VirusDesk uses technologies from Kaspersky Anti-Virus.
Drag and drop the file with the mouse or paste the link into a special field, and then click on the "Check" button.
After the verification is completed, the window will display the opinion of the online service regarding the verified file. If you wish, read the detailed description of the check.
If you disagree with the result of the virus scan, send the file for additional verification to Kaspersky Lab. Read the detailed description of the service on the page.
Free Chinese service for checking for viruses online. VirSCAN.org supports 39 anti-virus scanner technologies.
The service works, including in Russian (select Russian in the upper right corner of the page). The online service has a limit on the size of scanned files up to 20 MB.
Select a file on the computer (“Shoose file” button), start scanning (“Scan” button), wait for the results of the file analysis.
After the scan is completed, VirSCAN will show a detailed report on the file being examined, which you can save to your computer (the "Copy to clipboard" button) for further study.
Article Conclusions
With the help of specialized online services: VirusTotal.com, Metadefender.com, Dr.Web online, Kaspersky VirusDesk, VirSCAN.org, the user can check suspicious files and links for malicious code.
Infection when visiting websites from mobile devices
Some sites on the Internet have been hacked by cybercriminals targeting mobile device users. By visiting such a site from a computer, you will be taken to a harmless Internet resource, but by accessing it from a smartphone, you will secretly redirected to a site with an unpleasant "surprise". With the help of hacked sites, attackers can distribute various malicious programs, the most "popular" of which are various modifications of . The victim's losses depend on which family of Trojans infiltrate your mobile device, i.e., on its malicious charge. Read more about this phenomenon in our news.
Attention mobile device users!
Install Dr.Web anti-virus for Android with the component URL filter. The cloud filter will restrict access to non-recommended and potentially dangerous sites in several categories - this is especially true for protecting your children from inappropriate Internet content.
URL filter is present only in the full-featured version of Dr.Web for Android (it is not available in Dr.Web for Android light). For customers of Dr.Web Security Space and Dr.Web Anti-virus, using Dr.Web for Android - is free.
Attention PC and laptop users!
Install Dr.Web Link Checker
These are free extensions for checking web pages and files downloaded from the Internet. Install the extension to your browser and surf the World Wide Web without fear of a virus attack!
Download Dr.Web Link Checker for free
| Opera |
Using Dr.Web online file scanner, you can check suspicious files for viruses and malware free of charge.
You send your files using your browser, they are uploaded to our server, checked by the latest version of Dr.Web with a full set of virus database additions, and you get the result of the check.
How to scan a file or several files with Dr.Web Anti-virus online?
- To check 1 file: click on the "Browse .." button and select the suspicious file. Click the "Check" button to start scanning.
- The maximum file size is 10 MB.
- To check multiple files: place the files in an archive (WinZip, WinRar or ARJ format) and download this archive by clicking on the "Browse" button. and then the "Check" button. The verification protocol will include a report for each file in the archive.
IMPORTANT! Dr.Web Anti-Virus Scanner will help you determine whether or not the file(s) you provided for scanning are infected or not, but will not answer your question whether your computer is infected. For a complete hard drive and system memory check, use our free CureIt! .
You can also check the local network using the centrally managed network utility Dr.Web CureNet!
Submit a suspicious file
We periodically download various files from the Internet to our computer, from drivers to, for example, music tracks. In order not to get a virus or any malware along with them, we need, first of all, to check the file for viruses before starting the download process.
If you suspect that a file may contain malicious elements, you do not need to download it to your PC first and then rely on the antivirus software installed on your computer. You can easily scan it with more than sixty antivirus engines with one effective online tool.
This method will not replace the basic online security methods and rules that are designed to protect your confidential data from phishing attacks or other threats, but at a minimum, it will perform a more complete check of the object that causes you concern in the plan.
Working with this tool does not cause difficulties even for users with an initial level of computer proficiency, and even more so for those with an average and higher level. You need to be able to copy, paste a link, use a web browser and nothing more.
Let's take a look at this method in more detail in the instructions below. We hope that after reading it, you will make it a rule to always check downloaded content before downloading it to your computer's hard drive.
SCAN FILE FOR VIRUSES
We will need a direct link leading to the object planned for download. For example, for an executable file in .EXE format or a document in .DOC format. Copy it by calling the context menu and clicking on the "Copy link" menu item.
Go to:
https://www.virustotal.com/#/home/url
and paste it into the appropriate field, then click on the magnifying glass icon. Wait for the scanner to complete.
If you see in the report that none of the kernels detected malicious code, then the object is definitely downloadable. Otherwise, if at least one appears in the first position on the indicator (0/63), click on the go button opposite the “Downloaded file” item and view the possible threats and which one identified them.
You can also scroll down the page to see which antivirus tools have a problem with this item and see more details, as well as community comments and ratings.
VirusTotal can be easily integrated into your browser to make the whole process of checking a file for viruses much easier. You can install the extension of the same name for the main web browsers yourself. Then all the work can be done by clicking on the appropriate item of the context menu in the browser. The results are more user-friendly.
It often happens that you get a very suspicious file that is not detected by the antivirus as dangerous. What to do in such a situation? How can you be 100% sure that a file really does not contain malware? In such a situation, checking the file for viruses online with the help of special services helps a lot. In this article, we will look at a number of popular online services that allow you to check the file and make sure it is safe.
When people talk about services for checking files for viruses online, they usually start with the VirusTotal.com service. And this is not surprising, this service is the most popular and most powerful service of its kind.
VirusTotal.com can also check links and files for other suspicious or potentially dangerous objects.
Features of the VirusTotal.com service:
- Detailed online file check for viruses using a set with the latest anti-virus databases;
- The maximum size of a scanned file is 64 MB;
- The ability to check not only files from the user's computer, but also files hosted on other sites;
- The presence of many additional functions. For example, checking files by email, Public API for integration with other services or programs, browser extension, mobile applications, etc.
VirScan
The next service for online checking of files for viruses is the VirScan.org service. Like VirusTotal.com, this service allows you to scan for viruses and other malware inside files, but VirScan.org cannot scan links to other sites for viruses. In addition, VirScan.org is significantly slower than VirusTotal.com.
Features of the VirScan.org service:
- Checking files for viruses and malware;
- The maximum size of the scanned file is 20 Mb;
- The service can check for viruses. In this case, the number of files inside the archive should not exceed 20 pieces;
- The service can check encrypted archives. The password for such archives must be "infected" or "virus". Encrypted archives with other passwords are not checked;
Jotti
Jotti Scanner is another online service for checking files for viruses. The service does not have a very pleasant design, but it performs its functions well.
Features of the Jotti service:
- The service checks files for viruses and other malware;
- The maximum file size is 25 MB;
- To check, anti-virus scanners for the Linux operating system are used;
It should be noted that, despite the fact that these services check files for viruses, they cannot be considered as an alternative to full-fledged antiviruses.
Not all users install an antivirus on their computer or laptop. Some are lazy, others don't see the need for it. And when suddenly the PC starts behaving strangely (buggy and slow or ads appear in the browser), you can simply check your computer for viruses online and for free. Luckily, there are plenty of options today.
Below are the top 7 antiviruses that can scan for viruses online. True, it will not work to check the computer without downloading the installer. Virus scanning is done online, but antiviruses need access to your files. Therefore, some of them are installed as a module for the browser, and some - as a small utility. Also on the list there are 2 antiviruses that support online virus scanning without downloading. Which one to use is up to you.
Kaspersky will help you quickly check your computer for viruses online. A full-fledged antivirus is well known in Russia, and its "younger brother" is also popular.
The program runs in the "cloud", so you can quickly scan any PC or laptop for viruses online with Kaspersky.
Its main advantages:
- does not slow down Windows (which cannot be said about the full-fledged Kaspersky antivirus, which “eats” a lot of resources during the scan);
- does not conflict with other antiviruses installed on the computer;
- does not remove the viruses found, but only reports them (on the one hand, this is a plus, but on the other, you will have to remove them manually);
- produces a detailed report.
Scanning for viruses online in Kaspersky is very simple:
- Download the installer file from this link.
- Run the program.
- Wait for the end of the check.
After that, you will only have to remove the viruses (if they were found).
BitDefender QuickScan - quick online PC virus scan
Another way to clean your computer from viruses online is using BitDefender QuickScan. It is considered to be very effective and enjoys great success abroad. Approximately, as we have Kaspersky.
Cleaning your computer from viruses online is also easy. You only need:
- Follow this link.
- Click on "Scan Now".
- Install a browser module through which the antivirus will gain access to your folders and files.
- Wait for the end of the check.
The main advantage of BitDefender is a quick online virus scan. On average, it takes 1-2 minutes. On the one hand, this is cool, but on the other hand, what will he have time to scan in such a short time?
Most likely, the online scanner checks the main list of the most common threats: system files, startup - i.e. those places where viruses mostly "live". The developers themselves say that online virus scanning of a computer is carried out in the cloud (on their servers), which is why it is so fast.
ESET Online Scanner - efficient computer virus scan
The next way to check a laptop for viruses online is using the free ESET product from the NOD32 developers. To start checking, follow this link.
It is recommended to scan the PC through Internet Explorer - in this case, the scan will be performed in the browser window. When using Chrome, Firefox or Opera, the user will have to download a small file, and the PC analysis will be performed in a separate program.
After downloading and running the file, you need to set the settings. For example, enable scanning of archives and potentially dangerous programs. You can also uncheck the "Remove threats" box so that the antivirus does not accidentally delete important files that it thinks are infected. Then click the "Start" button.
ESET Online Scanner will update the databases, after which an online scan of the PC for viruses will begin.
- thorough system scan (takes 40 minutes on average - depends on your Internet speed and HDD size);
- detects any threats;
- can detect malware, incl. in the register;
- performs heuristic analysis;
- generates a complete report on the work performed.
Another plus is that the online scanner is automatically deleted after the scan is completed. That is, no files will remain after it.
Thus, ESET antivirus is perhaps one of the best ways to clean your computer from viruses online. Its only drawback is the need for installation.
Panda Cloud Cleaner - online scan of a flash drive for viruses
There are 4 versions to choose from:
- standard;
- portable (does not require installation);
- to scan a USB flash drive;
- in ISO format (rescue boot disk for PC virus check that won't turn on).
Which version to choose, decide for yourself. For example, if you want to check a flash drive for viruses online, then download the third installer on the developers' website.
Main advantages:
- quick check (on average - 20-30 minutes);
- detection of common threats;
- effective online virus cleaning.
As in the previous case, Panda also "self-destructs" after successfully checking and treating viruses. That is, it is automatically deleted and leaves no files behind.
F-Secure Online Scanner - virus and spyware treatment
Another great antivirus that can scan your computer for viruses online. To start testing, go to the developers website and click on the "Run" button. After downloading and running the installer, a new window will open, in which the laptop or PC will be scanned.
The main advantages of this antivirus:
- quick scan - takes an average of 10-15 minutes;
- effective treatment of viruses and spyware utilities;
- works even with antivirus installed on your PC.
Before starting the test, it is advisable to turn off "heavy" programs. This will help speed up the scanning process.
VirusTotal - online virus check without download
All previous options had one thing in common - the need to download the installer. In this case, you can scan your computer for viruses online without installing any programs.
VirusTotal is a service from Google that can check any files on your PC. It can also scan websites for malicious utilities. Using the service is very simple:
- Follow this link.
- Specify the path to the file you want to scan, or the URL of any site.
- Click the "Check" button.
Wait for the verification to be completed, and then see the report.
You won't be able to check all the documents on your computer through VirusTotal. It can scan sites and files separately. This option is suitable for those who, for example, have downloaded some program and want to make sure that it is free of viruses before installation. For such cases, VirusTotal is best suited, because it does not need to be downloaded.
Dr.Web - effective file check for viruses
And the last way to check your computer for viruses online is through Doctor Web. It has an excellent service with which you can check individual files. For this:
- Visit this site.
- Click Browse and navigate to the file you want to scan.
- Click the "Check!" button.
In this case, you can scan your computer for viruses online without installing Dr. Web. But, like VirusTotal, Doctor Web can scan only one file at a time.
A few words in conclusion
It sounds strange, but you cannot completely scan a laptop or computer and remove viruses online. The first 5 antiviruses require a small file to be installed. The question arises: isn't it easier to install a full version of the same Kaspersky or BitDefender? They have more features, plus provide real-time PC protection. In addition, many popular antiviruses have free versions.
The last 2 options are VirusTotal and Dr. Web - do not require installation, but check one file at a time. This is also not very convenient.
By the way, a computer or laptop can be infected not with viruses, but with malware. As a result, ads appear in the browser, third-party pages of unknown sites open, etc. In this case, antiviruses will not help, special software is required here.
Actually, that's all. Above, 7 ways were discussed on how to check a computer or laptop for viruses online for free. Which antivirus to use - decide for yourself. If you want to completely check your computer for viruses, then choose one of the first 5 programs. And if you need to scan several files, then use the VirusTotal or Dr. Web.
