When you need a second opinion on a file that you think is malware, online malware scanners are very helpful. And it's even better if the online scanner uses multiple antiviruses to scan a file. Here is a list of some of the best free online malware scanners for Windows PCs – some use only one engine, while others use multiple antivirus scan engines. They will help you scan your entire computer or select files for viruses.
Best online malware scanners to scan a file
Most of these scanners will not ask you to install anything on your computer. You can download the file from their website and they will scan the file using the API of various anti-malware services. Once the analysis is complete, you will receive a report on this.
- ESET Online Malware Scanner
- FortiGuard virus scanner
- ScanThis
- Kaspersky
- Norton security analysis
If you are concerned about privacy, be sure to read what happens to your files after the scan is complete. Most websites will submit them as samples to various antivirus solutions.
1) ESET online malware scanner
It can detect malware (viruses, spyware, adware, worms, Trojans). If you don't want to install another antivirus, ESET allows you to download a light version. You can use it to perform a one-time scan to remove malware and threats for free from your computer. You can choose to scan the entire system, perform a quick scan or a custom scan.
2) FortiGuard virus scanner
Use of this online service, you can choose to upload files manually from their website. Once downloaded, the service will scan it using FortiClient Antivirus. You will receive a confirmation on the email address provided containing the results of the analysis. The company is part of the Cyber Threat Alliance, a non-profit organization that shares real-time, high-quality information on cyber threats.
If a file or virus has already been reported, the online scanner will detect it automatically.
3) ScanThis
ScanThis uses Clam AV software open source and recognized by the industry. There are two ways to analyze a file. You can either submit a link to the download file or manually download the file. The first is useful if you want to first make sure the data is safe and then download it.
4) Kaspersky
Kaspersky has its anti-virus databases and information from Kaspersky Security Network. When you download a file, it will analyze and notify known threats detected in the file and display detailed information about each risk. You can download multiple files by archiving them, but the size is limited to 50 MB. The online scanner will respond with the level of risk, which can range from dangerous to normal.
5) Norton Security Scan
you must download scanner, which then scans your computer. Once the scan is complete, it will show up if there are viruses, worms, spyware, unwanted adware or Trojans residing on your computer.
Online malware scanners using multiple antivirus engines
The following free online malware scanners use multiple antivirus engines to give you the best results:
- Jotti Malware Scanner
- Total virus
- Meta Defender
- Scan URL
- No distribution
- virscan
1) Jotti Malware Scanner
AT Jotti.org you can submit up to five files at the same time, and the file size can be 250MB per file. The files are then sent to several antivirus engines such as Avast, F-Secure, Claim-AV, etc.
2) Total virus
VirusTotal.com offers analysis of suspicious files and URLs to detect types of malware and also helps you hash files. Once a file is uploaded, it uses 70 antivirus scanners and URL / domain blacklist services to find if there is malware.
3) Scan the URL
If you want to check if a website is spreading malware, you can scan up to three sites with ScanURL. They will check if phishing, malware / virus hosting or bad reputation have been previously reported. The verification is carried out with reputable third-party services, such as Google Safe Browsing Diagnostic, PhishTank and Web of Trust (WOT).
4) No distribution
Any file you Download here, it goes through 35 antivirus scanners. You can scan three files each day with it, and if you're concerned about privacy, the service is very strict, hence the name. The results of the analyzes are never distributed. If you like the privacy part, you can choose to buy a scanning key. It is probably the only service that talks openly about privacy.
5) MetaDefender
Part of Opswat, the Metadefender Cloud, allows you to submit data for analysis, which is then followed by a full report. It offers multiple engine scans, supports zip files, proactive DLP, sandbox, hash search, CDR, etc.
The CDR part is an exciting way to find malware. It is called Content Disarm and Reconstruction, where all files are assumed to be malicious. The process then reconstructs each file, ensuring full use with secure content. It is particularly useful to find targeted zero-day attacks.
6) VirScan
virscan is another free online scanning service that scans for malware using a different antivirus engine. It supports Rar / Zip decompression, but it must contain less than 20 files. You can scan files and also download files using their software.
There is one thing that you should always remember when using one of these best online malware scanners using multiple antivirus engines. They are used for a second opinion and are not a protection system for your Windows 10 computer. If you are looking for complete protection, it is best to use Windows security or buy a professional antivirus solution.
Related Reading: Online url scanners to scan for malware, viruses, phishing, etc. on websites
I hope that the list of online scanners will be useful to you when you are suspicious of a file or website.