Everyday on the Internet, we are getting latest information on advanced technology, gadgets, new software programs for different purposes and much more but with all these, we are also getting some news about viruses, malwares, trojans and lots of other malicious programs that spoil our computers, leading to instability of system.
There are many ways that viruses, malwares, trojans and malwares may spread like just copying stuffs from virus infected flash drives, hard disks and the biggest source happens to be the internet! Most viruses are spread through the Internet and we are unaware of it while using the Internet especially if we are not using a reliable Antivirus. If you don’t have a good Antivirus program installed on your PC while you’re busy downloading or surfing web, then your computer is an easy target for malwares!
Must Read: 5 Best Antivirus Software For Windows 8 In Year 2013
Here I am listing out some online programs that will scan the files for viruses and malwares. These are not alternatives to the regular antivirus programs as the ones listed here only work online. You may use these services free and simply for Scanning of files you’re downloading from Internet or probably you may want to scan existing files on your HDD. With the following web services, you may scan files as well as URLs too for viruses. These will only Scan and NOT remove viruses as these are used for scanning purpose only, if you want to remove viruses simply opt for good Antivirus.
Best Online Services for Scanning Files and URLs
1. Virus Total:
This is the best available online service that scans files as well as URLs too. Virustotal is a free service afterall and Scans thoroughly using other online virus scanning services like like Cyber Content, Phishtank, Bitdefender etc.
If you want to scan a file,just upload file (File Limit:60MB), wait for few seconds. The same thing applies if you want to scan a URL, paste the URL where it’s supposed to be, scan and wait a few seconds for the result.
2. MetaScan Online:
This is second best alternative to scan for viruses and suspicious files online with 43 different antivirus engines that will give you an accurate result about the file you uploaded.
The difference between this and VirusTotal is that MetaScan supports files of sizes up to 80MB. Another dustinguising feature is that it allows you to use over 40 antivirus engines at once, giving you a result you can totally rely on.
Although, you can’t scan a URL with it, it’s still pretty great.
Must Read: 5 Simple Ways to Prevent Files or Data Loss on Your Computer
3. Virscan.ORG:
In the above list, Virscan.org also stands with 20MB max. file size scanning and it can even scan RAR/ZIP archives too easily but with a maximum of 20 files in the ZIP/RAR archive. With 25+ antivirus engines you may easily scan your files and detect malwares, viruses and trojans present.
4. Jotti VirusScan:
Jotti is a free online service that enables you to scan suspicious files with several antivirus programs. Scanners used are of Linux versions as detection differences with Windows versions of the same scanners may occur due to implementation differences of Scanners.
There is 25MB limit for files and here also you can’t scan URLs.
5. Scanthis.NET:
Scanthis.net is another great alternative to above mentioned and does same job, it lets you upload your files for scanning and you also have to option to scan URLs.
ScanThis.net supports URL scanning of files, not websites scanning like Virustotal! But still is better than above services as it supports file URL based scanning. ScanThis is powered by the open source and industry-recognized Clam AV software.
Must Read: 5 Simple Steps to Secure your Personal Computer
6. Garyshood Web File Scanner:
This is a simple Web-based scanner and it supports direct upload and URL scanning just like Scanthis.NET does though it uses antivirus engines like F-PROT, Avira AntiVir, BitDefender, AVG, and ClamAV for scanning of viruses or suspicious files.
The Look of this site is very Simple and hence, easy to use. Garyshood is extremely simple in GUI but works pretty well.
7. VirusScanner by NoVirus:
This provides exactly the same service as those listed above and it is powered by Novirusthanks.org.
Files are scanned with multiple Anti-virus Engines for better results and integrity of files.
So, these are the best known online virus scanners you can make use of. The do come in handy when you need to scan a file quickly and the PC you’re using has no installed antivirus.
As mentioned earlier, they are no replacement for an antivirus so it’s better to have one installed. You may read this article for the top rated antivirus programs you can make use of.