Using one of the best free online virus scanners could potentially protect your computer from danger. You can upload files to these websites to see if they can be a threat to your computer’s health (security). Online scanners can be considered on-demand virus scanners and should be paired with other anti-malware programs and services for the best protection.
Some allow plugins to check your websites with ease, while others check emails as well. MetaDefender Cloud can be added as a Chrome plugin, while VirusTotal has an email option to make sure you’re safe on every corner of the internet. The best online virus scanners let you relax and know that your computer is secure.
VirusTotal
You can upload a specific file to VirusTotal to have it scanned by various antivirus engines or enter a website address to have VirusTotal scan an entire page for malicious links. Also supported are IP address, domain, and file hash scanning.
Easy to share scan results and search for past results.
Supports an Android app to keep your mobile devices safe.
For personal use; commercial use is not permitted.
Scans only one file at a time.
Archives like ZIP and RAR can be uploaded, but the maximum acceptable size for any file type is 650 MB.
A browser extension is also available for Chrome and Firefox users. It scans URLs from the right-click menu and checks for viruses before downloading.
MetaDefender Cloud
MetaDefender Cloud (previously called Metascan Online) is a slick website that allows files up to 140 MB to be uploaded and scanned against 30+ antivirus engines at once, including ones used by popular vendors like Microsoft, Kaspersky, McAfee, and AVG.
More comprehensive virus scanning than any other free alternative.
Doesn’t require installation.
Must scan files one by one.
Limited support for browser integration.
A few files you might be interested in scanning at MetaDefender Cloud are 7Z, EXE, and ZIP, but you can scan others, such as images, videos, and documents.
In addition to uploading a file to MetaDefender Cloud, it can scan by IP address, hash value, and website URL.
Results are easy to read. A bright green check mark appears next to each antivirus engine that identifies a file as safe. A red mark with the virus name indicates it’s malicious.
There’s also the OPSWAT File Security for Chrome extension you can install to scan downloads made through that browser.
Avira
Avira’s online virus scanner uses the same antivirus engine as the popular Avira AntiVirus program to scan submitted files and URLs through an online form.
Option to upgrade for more features and broader protection.
Simple, user-friendly interface.
Not as reliable at detecting phishing malware.
Reports false positives with relative frequency.
The form asks for your contact details so that the URL of the results can be sent to you. A maximum of five files no larger than 50 MB each can be uploaded.
Jotti’s Malware Scan
Jotti’s Malware Scan using over a dozen antivirus engines to scan up to five files at a time (with a 250 MB limit for each).
Comprehensive virus scanning sorts out false positives from real threats.
Available in several languages.
Ugly interface with lots of distracting ads.
Significantly slower than other options.
The date and scan detection status of each antivirus engine is shown in an easy-to-read list, so you can see which ones did or didn’t find the file to be dangerous.
Jotti.org also includes a hash search if you prefer not to upload a file but instead to enter the file’s MD5 or SHA-1/256/512 cryptographic hash function. This only works if Jotti.org scanned the file at an earlier date.
Scanning is also possible from your desktop with the JottiScan program.
Jotti’s Malware Scan is sometimes busy, making you wait in line before your file is processed.
Kaspersky VirusDesk
Kaspersky has an online virus scanner that supports both files and URLs. A file you upload to this online virus scanner can be as large as 256 MB.
Scans quickly.
Results are clear and easy to understand.
No browser tools for easy scanning.
Can’t scan more than one file at a time.
The website couldn’t be easier to use. Just paste the link or select the attachment icon to upload a file. Pressing SCAN starts the virus scan, and the results are shown on the same page.
If Kaspersky VirusDesk detects a threat, it says “Threats detected in
FortiGuard Online Scanner
Upload a file to FortiGuard Online Scanner for a quick check against its scanner.
Extremely easy to use.
Website includes helpful cybersecurity news and resources.
File size limit greatly restricts its usefulness.
No browser integration.
After you upload the file, enter your name and email address in case they need to send you a message about the file. After you submit the file for review, wait for the page to refresh, and you’ll see the results at the top.
Files uploaded to this online virus scanner can only be as large as 10 MB.
