Updated on: September 23, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best online virus scanner in 2024:
- 🥇 SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner: Fast and reliable web-based scanner that detects unsafe programs running on your computer and software that needs updating and gives you advice on how to fix issues. It’s extremely simple to use and scans take just seconds.
Good online virus scanners are really hard to find. There are very few truly online scanners available — most are just trial versions of paid antivirus software, or much worse, phishing scams designed to steal your data or convince you to download malware.
However, there are a few genuinely useful online scanning tools out there. I spent weeks testing and researching, and found a few truly online scanners that offer a simple way to check for infections or vulnerabilities on your system.
But keep in mind that none of these products make a substitute for a good premium antivirus. A full internet security suite like Norton 360 will give you significantly more protection than even the best online virus scanner. Norton’s advanced malware scanner can detect 100% of malware, and unlike online scanners, it can remove that malware from your system. Plus, Norton and other top antiviruses come with lots of extra features to keep you safe online, like anti-phishing protection, virtual private networks (VPNs), password managers, and more.
Quick summary of the best online virus scanners:
- 🥇 1. SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner — Best overall online virus scanner in 2024 (fast, accurate & no download required).
- 🥈 2. VirusTotal — Fast online scanner compares results of 70+ antiviruses when scanning files and URLs.
- 🥉 3. Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal — Analyze files, web, and IP addresses with ease.
- 4. Opswat MetaDefender Cloud — Powerful online scanner that provides file sanitization.
- 5. Jotti’s Malware Scan — Simple & 100% free online scanner that’s really easy to use.
- Plus 3 Bonus Scanners!
🥇 1. SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner — Best Overall Online System Vulnerability Scanner
The SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner is one of the only truly online tools that let you perform a quick scan of your device — with no downloads required — to see if you have any unsafe programs running or if any of your software needs a security update.
The Known Vulnerabilities Scanner doesn’t scan for viruses, but as hackers and malware commonly exploit systems via outdated software with vulnerabilities, scanning for outdated software and system vulnerabilities and keeping software updated is one of the most important actions you can take to prevent cyberattacks.
It works with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database (the world’s largest database of known cybersecurity threats) to identify any vulnerabilities or unsafe programs running on your device. Each time IT professionals find and fix a vulnerability issue in a program, they report it to the database, meaning all of the information is kept up-to-date.
This scanner is extremely simple to use — it runs automatically when you visit the website, so non-technical users won’t have any issues with it at all. While there aren’t any customization options or more detailed scans offered, the scan itself takes just seconds; it’s even cross-platform and automatically detects the device you’re using. This means you can also use it to scan your iPhone or Android for vulnerabilities, which is really convenient. Once the scan is done, the Known Vulnerabilities Scanner gives you useful advice on how to fix any security issues it has detected.
Being fully online, the Known Vulnerabilities Scanner can’t offer any tools to remove malware. It’s a really useful way to do a quick on-demand check of your device, but it’s definitely not an alternative to a full antivirus. I’d suggest choosing a premium antivirus like Norton 360 to remove malware and keep your device fully protected.
Bottom Line:
The SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner is the best truly online scanner around. It requires no installations, it works in seconds, it uses the world’s largest database of known cybersecurity threats, and it’s completely free to use. While it doesn’t offer virus removal tools like an antivirus does, it’s a convenient way to quickly check for problems on just about any device, and it gives you useful advice on how to solve those problems too.
Try SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner Now
🥈 2. VirusTotal — Compares Results of 70+ Antivirus Scanners When Scanning Your Individual Files
VirusTotal is a web-based tool that can scan individual files and URLs for security issues. Its scans are very detailed, and it analyzes files using the engines of over 70 antivirus scanners including Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, and Avira.
Because it’s fully web-based, VirusTotal can’t scan your entire device. But it’s a really useful tool if you have particular files that you’re not sure about and want to analyze. It’s simple to run a scan — you just upload a file (650 MB is the maximum size) or paste a URL into the online portal on the VirusTotal homepage. And you can do this on any type of device that has a web browser installed on it. For mobile devices, there’s also the option to install a third-party VirusTotal mobile app and use it to run scans.
The scans are very fast and offer an impressive amount of detail, showing you the results from each of the antivirus engines VirusTotal uses. I tested VirusTotal’s scanner with a bunch of sample malware files, and it was able to identify all of them. What’s more, the issues it identifies get shared with the VirusTotal community, helping other users in the future.
VirusTotal is an online virus scanner only, so it doesn’t have the tools to remove viruses. And unlike my top online scanner, the SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner, it can’t scan your computer’s software and running programs, just individual files and URLs.
Another notable downside is that the files you upload for analysis could be shared with premium VirusTotal users, so you’re advised not to share any files containing personal information. Obviously this is very limiting, since viruses can infect files with sensitive info as well. Scan results, too, are shared with the VirusTotal community.
That said, VirusTotal is very straightforward, easy to use, and completely free, so if you have a few files you’re concerned about and want to scan, it’s a good choice.
Bottom Line:
VirusTotal is an online-only scanner that can scan files or URLs extremely quickly using the engines of over 70 antiviruses. The scanner is simple but effective and requires no downloads or installations. While you can’t run a full system scan, if you’re suspicious of a file or website and want a highly detailed scan done of it, VirusTotal is a great option.
🥉 3. Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal — Analyze Files, Websites, and IP Addresses With Ease
Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal is a 100% web-based scanner that uses a combination of reputational services, behavior detection technologies, heuristic analysis, and Kaspersky Cloud Sandbox to analyze files, web addresses (registered users only), IP addresses, and file hashes.
Although the portal is primarily designed for cybersecurity professionals and security teams within businesses and institutions, an average user, too, will find it very easy to scan files, regardless of whether they access it via a desktop, tablet, or mobile device. You can submit files up to a maximum size of 256 MB for analysis.
Bear in mind that, when you submit files or lookup requests, the portal collects data such as hash, IP address, domain, and web address lookup requests. This data is used to improve detection services and process user requests. All obtained data is stored securely and deleted according to specified retention periods. When submitting your file, you’ll have the option to make the results of your scan private. To do this, just tick the box next to “Private submission”.
I tested the Kaspersky portal by uploading a suspicious 12 MB PDF file downloaded from the internet and a random 86 MB installation file that my Mac refused to run due to a revoked certificate. Both times, it took the scanner a few minutes to upload the files and analyze them. Although both files turned out to be safe, the results were pretty detailed:
The Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal offers a mix of free and premium services. Most users will find the free tier sufficient for their needs, but those who want to gain access to Kaspersky Cloud Sandbox for detailed behavioral analysis of potentially infected files and other advanced options should consider paying for a premium subscription.
4. Opswat MetaDefender Cloud — Powerful Online Scanner That Provides File Sanitization
MetaDefender Cloud is another powerful online scanner that requires no downloads whatsoever to analyze your files, URLs, IP addresses, and more. It employs technologies like Deep Content Disarm and Reconstruction (Deep CDR), multiscanning, and sandbox dynamic analysis to analyze files, URLs, IP addresses, and more. The platform is accessible via desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
The platform uses a variety of sophisticated technologies when scanning files. It leverages over 30 anti-malware engines, including industry leaders such as Bitdefender, McAfee, and Avira, to increase detection rates and reduce outbreak detection times. Deep CDR technology deconstructs and rebuilds files to remove potential threats while preserving usability, making it highly effective against zero-day and targeted attacks. It also includes a sandbox that detonates files in a controlled environment to expose malicious behavior. Unlike Kaspersky’s sandbox, this feature of MetaDefender is not hidden behind a paywall.
What is hidden behind a paywall is the privacy of your search results, which isn’t great, but I have to say that Opswat has one of the most transparent and extensive privacy policies I’ve ever read. It’s very open about what data it collects and how it processes and stores it. Like VirusTotal, it warns you upfront not to upload any personal information.
MetaDefender Cloud operates under a “trust no file” philosophy, assuming that all files are potentially malicious. Whenever you upload a file, in addition to the results of your scan, you’ll also get a sanitized version of your file that you can easily download from the platform. I really appreciate this because it partially makes up for the inherent flaw of all online malware scanners: it can’t disinfect your system since it doesn’t have access to it, but at least it can disinfect the files you submit.
This scanner is also one of the fastest on my list: it only took a few seconds to upload and analyze the test files, and the results page offers a true wealth of insights, including not just the results of the malware scan but also the sandbox analysis results, the community insights, and the link to the sanitized version of your file.
The platform offers a range of free and premium services. Like with Kaspersky, basic access will be enough for most users, as it allows them to scan files, URLs, IP addresses, and domains for threats using multiple anti-malware engines (but not all of them). Premium services include more advanced features such as detailed sandbox analysis, Deep CDR, and comprehensive threat intelligence reports.
5. Jotti’s Malware Scan — Simple & 100% Free Online Scanner That’s Really Easy to Use
Jotti’s malware scan is a no-frills online service that allows you to scan up to 5 suspicious files simultaneously, with a maximum file size of 250 MB each.
Jotti’s malware scan employs 14 antivirus engines (Avast, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky among them) to provide an analysis of submitted files. The scan is super fast, but unlike most of the other scanners on my list, Jotti only provides basic results: it just lists all the scanners that were used for analyzing the file you submitted and whether they’ve found malware or not.
And that’s it. Unlike MetaDefender Cloud, it won’t be able to provide you with clean copies of your infected files, and you won’t get any additional info, such as community scores or sandbox analysis results.
That said, the lack of advanced features makes Jotti the easiest scanner to use on this list. It even offers its interface in 10 languages. The simplicity extends to the wording of its privacy policy — basically, Jotti promises not to share your files with anyone outside of the cybersecurity industry, but it recommends you don’t upload any personal information if you’re not comfortable with cybersecurity experts reading your files.
Another positive side of Jotti is that it’s 100% free and requires no registration: just visit the platform on your desktop or mobile device, upload your files, and the scan will start automatically.
Bonus. Norton Power Eraser — Basic Version of the Best Antivirus on the Market
Norton Power Eraser is a simplified, Windows-only version of the Norton antivirus, containing a scanner and virus removal tools. It’s free, easy to use, and it was able to find all of the malware samples hidden on my PC.
Unlike the SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner, Norton Power Eraser requires a small download. The installation itself was very easy and only took a few seconds, but if you’re looking for an online scanner with no download required, I’d recommend one of my top 5 picks instead.
Once you’ve installed Norton Power Eraser, you’re offered 4 scan options:
- Full System Scan.
- Unwanted Application Scan.
- Scan Files.
- Scan Folders.
There’s also a full rootkit scan you can select in the Options menu, which provides an extremely in-depth scan that took about 60 minutes to finish and detected all of the malware on my PC. All the scans are super simple to run, with no tech expertise required.
Unlike the first 5 scanners on this list, Norton Power Eraser does come with threat removal tools, so if any viruses are found on your device, you can actually deal with them. However, while it’s more effective at dealing with threats than a truly online virus scanner, Norton Power Eraser still doesn’t work as a substitute for a full antivirus package. Without the real-time protection offered by premium antivirus suites like Norton 360, you’re not protected from getting malware in the first place. Besides, you can only use Norton Power Eraser on Windows computers.
If you’re looking for more than a one-time scan, I recommend checking out one of Norton 360’s low-cost plans. Norton Antivirus Plus only costs $29.99 / year* and includes Norton’s excellent scanner, real-time protection, a firewall, a password manager, and 2 GB of secure file storage for 1 device. My favorite plan is Norton 360 Deluxe, though. It covers 5 Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS devices, and adds an unlimited-data VPN, parental controls, dark web monitoring, 50 GB cloud storage, and more, all for $49.99 / year*. All of Norton’s plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
The Norton Power Eraser is a free Windows-only scanner that comes with threat removal tools and uses the same high-quality scanner as the full Norton antivirus. While it does require a download, it’s very lightweight and offers full system scans, something a website simply can’t do. That said, if you’re considering the Power Eraser, it’s worth checking out the full Norton 360 antivirus for enhanced security features like real-time protection and scheduled scans.
Bonus. ESET Online Scanner — Very Thorough Full System Scans
ESET Online Scanner is a free Windows-only virus scanner that offers customizable and in-depth system scans. It’s a simplified version of ESET’s premium antivirus and offers a great malware detection rate. Like Norton Power Eraser, it uses anti-stealth technology to help detect rootkits buried deep in your system.
The ESET Online Scanner can quarantine or delete infections it finds during the scan (unlike a web-based scanner). It does require a small download, but it’s very lightweight. Once you’ve downloaded and installed it, you’re offered 3 scan options: a full scan, a quick scan, and a custom scan.
When I tested the full scan, it took about 30 minutes to complete. I was impressed with how thoroughly the scanner searched every part of my system in that time. The quick scans only take a few minutes, providing a more basic scan of key areas of your PC. You can also scan individual folders, files, or removable media if you have specific things you want to check. However, there isn’t an “Unwanted Application” scan like Norton Power Eraser offers.
I like how ESET’s scanner offers scheduled monthly scans and will run an automatic scan of your device each month if you enable it. It’s the only product on my list to offer this feature.
The cheapest paid ESET plan is Essential Security, which costs $38.56 / year. In addition to the scanner, it offers anti-phishing protection and a gamer mode for PCs, and it also works with Mac and Android. However, ESET’s offering is pretty minimal compared to Norton and Bitdefender’s lower-tier plans, which offer a wider range of extra features. But ESET is an ok choice if you just want a lightweight scanner and good protection against viruses, and its premium plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free trial of the same length.
Bottom Line:
The ESET Online Scanner is a quality lightweight scanner that only requires a small download. Its full scan only took 30 minutes, detected all the malware on my PC, and was impressively thorough. ESET also gives you the option to run automatic monthly scans, which is a useful extra.
Bonus. Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac — Best Lightweight Scanner for Mac Users
Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is the only scanner on my list that can do a full scan of your Mac. It uses Bitdefender’s cloud-based scanner to check for viruses and other malware on your machine, and it’s completely free to use.
It requires a small download, but this means it can remove threats as well as detect them. Downloading and installing the scanner is very quick and simple, and the interface is extremely user-friendly. There are 3 scan options, including Deep System Scan, Critical Locations Scan, and Custom Location Scan.
The Deep System Scan took around 30 minutes and detected 100% of the test malware on my MacBook. I was really impressed by how thorough the scan was, and I liked the straightforward way the results were presented, detailing the threat name, the action Bitdefender had taken, and the path to the infected file.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is a quick and reliable tool for identifying infections, but it’s only a scanner, not a full antivirus. There’s no real-time protection, firewall, system optimization tools, or any of the other tools you need to stay fully protected online. If you like Bitdefender but want more than just one-time scans, you’d do far better to take a look at Bitdefender Total Security.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is a great free tool to check for infections on your Mac and safely remove them. It offers 3 types of scans, including Deep System Scan, Critical Locations Scan, and Custom Location Scan, and it’s really easy to use and light on your system. Bitdefender’s full scan took only 30 minutes and was able to find 100% of the test malware on my MacBook.
Quick Comparison Table
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
Not all online scanners are created equal. To identify the best ones, I did the following:
- I tested malware detection. A virus scanner must recognize all the risks on your device, either eradicating them or proposing remedies to fix them. Every product on my list has the capability to identify malware with perfect precision. Even though a wholly internet-based virus detection tool can’t remove threats for you, I appreciated the guidance offered by the SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner and the comprehensive information VirusTotal incorporated into its reports.
- I measured upload and scanning speeds. A lot of virus scanners are extremely slow and simply aren’t convenient to use if you’re trying to quickly identify whether you have an infection. I tested all the scanners on my list to ensure they were fast and efficient. The SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner can accurately detect any unsafe programs or outdated software running on your device in just a few seconds. If you’re after a fast full system scan (which you can only get with a downloadable scanner), ESET Online Scanner had the quickest full scans for Windows at around 30 minutes, and Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac did a full scan of my Mac in around 30 minutes too.
- I assessed ease of use. User-friendliness is key when selecting a scanner. Opt for devices with straightforward interfaces that don’t demand expertise. The scanners on my list are either fully automated or require pressing a maximum of 2 buttons to run a scan.
- I looked for tools offering flexible scan options. Web-based scanners typically don’t include custom scans, but downloadable antiviruses do. For example, Norton Power Eraser and ESET Online Scanner offer quick scans, full scans, and scans of individual folders and files.
Do Online Virus Scanners Put My Privacy at Risk?
Online virus scanners can indeed pose privacy risks, and it’s important to be aware of these potential issues when using them.
One of the primary privacy risks associated with online virus scanners is data collection and transmission. These scanners often require you to upload files to their servers for analysis, meaning your data is transmitted over the internet and stored on remote servers. This process could potentially expose your data to unauthorized parties or allow the service provider to use it for other purposes. Additionally, some antivirus software, including online scanners, may send unknown files to the cloud for deeper analysis, inadvertently exposing sensitive information contained within those files.
Another concern is third-party access. By uploading files to an online virus scanner, you are essentially granting a third party access to your data. Depending on the service’s privacy policy, this data could be used for purposes beyond just scanning for viruses, such as marketing or further analysis. This could lead to the unintended exposure of your personal information.
To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to use reputable services from well-known and trusted brands that have clear and transparent privacy policies. Always read the privacy policy of the virus scanner service to understand how your data will be used, stored, and protected. Avoid uploading highly sensitive or personal files to online virus scanners whenever possible, and consider using local antivirus software to scan such files. Additionally, ensure that any data transmitted to online virus scanners is encrypted during transmission to protect it from interception.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Comodo. Comodo offers a free virus scanner that requires a small download. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very good in my tests. The scan was slow and the results had to be emailed to me, rather than simply being displayed on screen. Even though it was a download, it didn’t offer a way to remove viruses it found either.
- Trend Micro. Trend Micro features a free scanner called HouseCall, which is very thorough and only requires a small download. However, its scan is slower than others on this list. If you’re looking for a great Windows scanner with a small download and significantly faster scans, I’d recommend the Norton Power Eraser instead.
- Fortinet. During my tests, the FortiGuard scan was fast and able to detect all my malware samples. It also requires no downloads, being fully online. My biggest problem is the tiny 10 MB size limit for individual file scanning, which is extremely limited. VirusTotal on the other hand offers a generous 650 MB per file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an online virus scanner do?
An online virus scanner simply scans your files from a remote server and detects viruses for you. While an online scanner can’t scan through your full computer, it can work to detect threats in individual files.
If you haven’t already got an antivirus and suspect a file might be infected, you can use an online virus scanner to quickly identify what kind of threat it is. Some downloadable virus scanners, like the Norton Power Eraser, will include ways to remove the threats, but a truly online virus scanner cannot remove viruses or malware from your device. It can only tell you what the issues are and offer advice on how you can solve them yourself.
However, online scanners can’t completely replace a full antivirus software. To fully protect your system from malware and other online threats, you should install antivirus software like Norton or Bitdefender.
Do I need to pay for an online virus scanner?
There are some good free virus scanners, but they’ll never give you as much protection as a premium antivirus program like Norton 360. Truly online scanners lack virus removal tools, and even free downloadable virus scanners that do remove malware can’t offer real-time protection. However, if you’re just looking to run a quick scan because you think you might have an infection, a free virus scanner is a convenient choice.
It’s also important to know that there are a lot of fake cybersecurity companies that offer ‘free’ scanners that will steal your data while scanning your device. I made sure to only include truly reputable scanners on my list.
Will an online virus scanner remove a virus from my computer?
No — the most an online scanner can do is scan files or active programs on your device, flag any malware, and offer advice on how you can deal with it yourself. Some of the scanners on this list, like the Norton Power Eraser and the Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac, do have the ability to remove malware and viruses, but this functionality always requires a download.
As a rule of thumb, if a website claims it can remove viruses from your computer, it’s lying. A purely online scanner is simply not capable of accessing your system in that way.
Do I need an online virus scanner if I have a good antivirus?
The short answer is no, but it can still be a helpful tool if you’re looking for a second opinion on a file — though at that point I’d recommend a better antivirus. A decent antivirus does everything an online scanner can do, and so much more.
With a premium antivirus suite like Norton 360, you get a great virus scanner, threat removal tools, and real-time protection from viruses before they become a problem. Norton also offers a heap of useful extra features like parental controls, a VPN, a password manager, and dark web monitoring, and you can try it risk-free with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
How do I submit a file for scanning?
If you want to scan a file online for viruses and other malware, all you need to do is find a suitable online scanner and drag and drop the file into the designated area of the scanner. In most cases, the scan will begin automatically. Alternatively, you can click on a Browse or similar button, which will open the Documents window, enabling you to pick a file for scanning (just like when you’re attaching a file to an email).
Can I submit a ZIP file or multiple files for scanning?
It depends on the scanner. For example, Jotti’s Malware Scan will accept up to 5 files, each up to 250 MB large, while VirusTotal accepts ZIP files.
Can an online scanner help me pick up on false positives my antivirus might have flagged?
Yes. Online scanners like the ones on my list allow you to upload a file and scan it using multiple antivirus engines. Although you won’t be able to find out for sure, if only a few antivirus programs flag the file as malicious while most do not, it is likely a false positive.
How to integrate VirusTotal with Process Explorer?
To scan files using the VirusTotal integration within Process Explorer, follow these steps:
- Open Process Explorer.
- Go to Options > Check VirusTotal.com. This will add a new column named “VirusTotal” to the process list.
- The first time you enable VirusTotal integration, you will be prompted to agree to the Terms of Service. Click “Yes” to proceed.
- Initially, the VirusTotal column will show “Hash submitted…”. After a few seconds, it will display the results of the scan.
To check a specific file, right-click on the process and select “Check VirusTotal”. You can also view detailed results by right-clicking the process, selecting “Properties”, and checking the VirusTotal detections at the bottom of the window.
