Top 5 Free Single File Online Virus Scan Services
I scoured the Web to find the best single file antivirus scanners and I have found 5 services worth checking out. In choosing the top 5, I should have a basis so I created one. I based my criteria on convenience, file size capability, browser compatibility, update frequency and service load. Without further ado, here they are! The top 5 free single file online virus scan services:
- VirusTotal
- Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
- Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
- Dr. Web AntiVirus
- Kaspersky File Scanner
Let me give you a brief explanation of the criteria:
- Convenience
Upon arriving to the Web site, the user interface should be intuitive. Moreover, results should be given on-demand. Transmission of results through other means such as e-mail shouldn’t be a requirement.
- File Size Capability
As a rule of thumb, the bigger, the better. However, it is understandable that some single file scanning services currently do not support files that are more than 15 MB.
- Browser Compatibility
They should support major modern browsers such as Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 2, Opera 9, and Safari for Windows.
- Update Frequency
Definition files should be updated regularly, preferrably hourly. Scan engines should be updated regularly.
- Service Load
Delays on a per-user basis should be minimized. The time on queue is important.
Single file online antivirus scanners are especially helpful in software development and file sharing. To ensure a file’s cleanliness and integrity, it should be tested against different antivirus scanners. It will be inconvenient and impractical to install several antivirus software in your computer to test a file, so what better way to do it than to visit these free single file online virus scan services. However, there are limitations to this approach. Since the services are free, they’re always prone to misuse. That’s why most of these services impose a limit on the size of a file that can be scanned. Others send results through e-mail to gain further control. Whatever the limitations are, we should be thankful that they exist.
VirusTotal
VirusTotal deserves the top spot at the moment. Aside from its intuitive UI, it supports 10 MB file sizes as well. Furthermore, it scans from 30 AV programs.
- I tested the site in: IE7 (minor display problems on results page), IE6, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3 for Windows
- Uses the Flash player plugin for its stats.
- 10 MB limit
- Scans from 30 antivirus programs including McAfee, Symantec, and Trend Micro
- Average service load < 50%
- Results are given right away. An option to send a file to be scanned through e-mail is also available.
Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
The second spot goes to Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service. UI is similar to VirusTotal. Perhaps the only significant difference it has with VirusTotal is the service load. When I went there, the load was quite high. It would have been at the top spot (since it supports files that are more than 10 MB) if its service load was less than 50% on average.
- I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3 for Windows
- undetermind file size limit, though it accommodated a 39.8 MB file.
- Scans from 18 antivirus programs including McAfee and Trend Micro
- Service load ~70%
Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
The third spot goes to Jotti’s Malware Scan. Now you may have noticed that the top 3 uses several antivirus programs. The remaining two will only be using one scanner.
- I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3 for Windows
- 10 MB limit
- Scans from 18 antivirus programs including AVG, F-secure, Kaspersky, NOD32, and Panda AV
- Service load is often ~95%
Dr. Web Anti-Virus
The file scan interface was kinda difficult to find in the Web site. However, the results page was presented very well.
- I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21 (blocked pop-up results page; unexpected window/tab behavior), Safari 3 for Windows
- undetermined file size limit, though it accommodated a 15.7 MB file
- Scans from the Dr. Web AV engine
Kaspersky File Scanner
The Kaspersky File Scanner doesn’t really stand a chance against the top 3 services. Its 1 MB limit isn’t useful enough. However, Kaspersky is one of the best AV programs out there, in my opinion.
- I tested the site in IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3 for Windows is unsupported
- 1 MB limit
- Scans from the Kaspersky AV engine
Notable sources:
- Online System Security Scanners from Grand Stream Dreams
- Free Protection for your Computer at Webuser forums
- Free Online Virus Scan at Free Programming Resources
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:05
Very nice post! stumbled.
Online virus scan services are good for techies. I don’t really like to install any antivirus on my computer as I want to keep the ram free
And once a while I make use of Trendmicro’s housecall to scan the computer. I just follow simple common sense and keep my computer free from viruses!
July 4th, 2007 at 5:35
Hi ReviewSaurus,
Thanks for reading my article!
It’s quite difficult to weigh your position on this. Though I would want as much RAM as possible, I don’t want to rely on chances with regard to security either. It’s always a good idea to have a local antivirus program around. AVG, Comodo and Panda AV offer free antivirus software. You might want to try one out.
I use a combination of free antivirus, firewall, active antispyware, and passive antispyware programs to protect my computer even if I only have 512 MB of RAM. And yes, common sense helped me in more than one occasion.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:31
Well I have relied on online Antivirus for long
. The problem is I can’t find a good Antivirus that provides good security as well as consume only an agreeable amount of system resources…
April 4th, 2008 at 21:00
i had tried all these online virus scanners, though they gave me virus report but did not return back a clean file to me like i expected!!, my idea is to upload and download a good file but non so i dont see any benefit!!!
April 5th, 2008 at 7:14
Charlz,
I apologize for the misinformation this has caused you. Please allow me to enlighten you that online virus scan services are meant to provide users with scan results from various antivirus software. They simply scan your file for viruses, hoping that you would make better judgment as to whether or not to proceed on the execution of the suspicious file.
A full-fledged antivirus program is highly recommended for malware removal.
April 12th, 2008 at 7:20
These sites look dandy for checking executables, but obviously only small files. Do you know of any web-based scanner that will allow you to check a large file locally?
April 12th, 2008 at 19:11
Kaspersky definitely gets my vote, for nothing more than the integrity of the engine.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:38
Hi, Rather than using online virus service, utilizing offline anti-virus software is more beneficial. Online services just scan the system and don’t remove the threats at all where as with downloaded antivirus software we can remove the threats even.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:24
These are free services, but in many cases, the virus scan is offered by an antivirus software company which does wish to sell you their full package. These sites are legitimate antivirus software companies, but you need not purchase their product in order to use their free service.
May 19th, 2008 at 17:58
Gimpy:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com allows you to download their virus scanning plugin. This will allow you to scan your entire hard-drive(s). It doesn’t offer as complete a scan as scanning with (x) different virus scanners, however.
There are other ‘online virus scanners’ out there that will allow you to scan your entire computer, but none (AFAIK) that will do it with all the virus engines VirusTotal and others offer.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:22
The computer virus remove
software is important for all computer.
July 7th, 2008 at 23:26
I use pc tools antivirus, avg antivirus, pc tools spyware doctor pc tools firewall system mechanic pro and pc tools threatfire on 2 pc’s aswell as some other antispyware tools. Only problem is if your running several security programs on realtime scanning than your pc gets slow on windows vista so i recommend using diskeeper pro premier as a trial from diskeeper.com and see if you like it. Diskeeper pro permier is an automatic defragmenting program that defrags in the background using minimal resources and increases your pc’s speed. Do a google search its used by millions.
August 3rd, 2008 at 16:57
very nice article about oline virus scanner
gonna try them soon
August 18th, 2008 at 23:49
Thank you for the info.This online scanner will be a very good alternative for those who don’t have an antivirus installed…