What do you do when you have a computer that is infected by virus, trojan or malware? Which AntiVirus software will you install to scan the computer? No matter what antivirus software you choose to install, the important rule is not to install more than 1 antivirus on the computer. IF really need to use different antivirus, make sure you’ve totally disabled the current installed antivirus from startup or uninstall it before installing a new one. Otherwise instead of spending your time in cleaning virus, you’ll end up trying to fix Windows boot problem.
Before you fork over $40 or so for a commercial product, why not check out one of the excellent free anti-virus utilities that is listed below? All you need is a web browser and internet connection. The free online virus scanners listed below will either clean and/or scan your computer for viruses. The big difference between a desktop version of antivirus with online version of antivirus is desktop antivirus provides real time virus scanning and online antivirus provides on demand scans. Unless the antivirus has a very smart heuristic scanning method, new viruses can still infect a computer.
Here I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of free online virus scanners for your convenience.
1. Trend Micro HouseCall
- Works on both Internet Explorer and Firefox web browser (Java)
- Takes a long time to download lpt$vpn.### definition file
- Able to Scan and Remove found viruses
2. BitDefender Online Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Able to scan and remove found viruses
3. F-Secure Online Virus Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Able to scan and remove found viruses
- Require to download 35MB the first time
4. ESET Online Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Unable to scan custom location
- Able to scan and remove found viruses. Must specify remove found threats before start scan.
5. Panda ActiveScan
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Able to scan custom location
- Able to scan and remove found viruses.
- There’s another online virus scanner “PC PitStop Virus Scan” uses Panda scanning engine. It’s the same.
6. CA Online Virus Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Able to scan custom location
- Able to scan and remove found viruses.
7. NanoScan
- Works on both Internet Explorer (ActiveX) and Firefox web browser (Extension)
- Only scan memory, not files
- VERY fast scan but not accurate as it scans only memory
8. iolo Online Virus Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Bad detection rate. Unable to detect a trojan which I place on my drive.
9. Authentium Command On Demand
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Able to scan custom location
- Bad detection rate. Unable to detect a trojan which I place on my drive.
- There’s another online virus scanner “Freedom” uses Authentium Command On Demand scanning engine. It’s the same.
10. a-squared Web Malware Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Require to download 20MB the first time
- Able to scan custom location
- Able to Scan and Remove found viruses
- There’s another online virus scanner “Windows Security” uses a-squared Web Malware Scanner scanning engine. It’s the same.
11. ewido anti-spyware online scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Unable to scan custom location
- Able to Scan and Remove infections
12. OneCare Safety Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Takes very long to download
- Unable to scan custom location
- Able to Scan and Remove infections
13. Kaspersky Online Scanner
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Definition takes long time to download the first time, 16MB. However, the next time will be fast as it only updates the necessary files.
- Only scan but no removal of virus
14. McAfee FreeScan
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Fast to complete downloading definition and activex
- Bad detection rate. Unable to detect a trojan which I place on my drive.
- Only Scan but no removal of virus
15. Symantec Security Check
- Works only on Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- Unable to scan custom location
- Only scan but no removal of virus
16. AhnLab MyV3 Online Anti-Virus Scanner
- Works on both Internet Explorer (ActiveX) and Firefox web browser (Extension)
- Takes very long to download
- Only scan but no removal of virus
There you have it. All 16 types of free online antivirus scanners. Some online scanners such as Symantec and Kaspersky is only able to scan but unable to remove virus. Out of all, my favorite is Trend Micro HouseCall and BitDefender Online Scanner because Trend is one of the first to develop online virus scanner. As for BitDefender, they have one of the best heuristic scanning technology.
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To run these online Anti Virus scans, you need IE6 with ActiveX enabled….
I recently purchased two computers from PUBLISHER’s CLEARINGHOUSE (yeah I know, but it was all I could afford to do on lay-a-way), one was a laptop and the other a desktop; and, when I received them I discovered they are both REFURBISHED computers. However, they both cam with WINDOWS XP and I use INTERNET EXPLORER; and, the desktop allowed me to download the free ONECARE SAFETY CANNER, but the laptop will not. I get a message each time I attempt to download the scanner that states “website restore error” on the tab, and then it says “we were unable to return you to live.com” Can you PLEASE help me figure out why I cannot download the scanner, as I have been using ONECARE on my old laptop for years, and I REALLY like the software.
Thanks,
BobHev
Comments under OneCare Safety Scanner.
Only runs IE. Incorrect, now can use FireFox with IE add-on,
No custom location. Incorrect, has a Customize option.
Add – No 64 bit option.
Takes a long time to download – depends on internet connection (53 MB)
Amazing input there Raymond.. Much appreciated! :)
Hello Raymond, Thank you vey much ., but i want to know, that which virus – scanner do u suggest for scanning the pc . please let me know, thanks , Ashwin :)
I find it ridiculous that many PC owners prefer installing all kinds of trials and demos and “free scan” of programs, and what’s worse – they’re advised to install as many security programs as possible. In my experience, a web scanner sometimes if a better choice. It’s easy to try a dozen of virus scanners, and in many cases they really help to remove malware.
But of course none of these services provide real-time protection. They’re mostly for additional testing and energency cases.
P.S. Guess I’ll have to add Live OneCare to my list of scanners ;P
Hi.
Basically, to run these online AV (= AntiVirus) scans, you need IE6 with ActiveX enabled, and when clicking on a \”Click here to run the test.\” etc., press on the [Ctrl] key on your keyboard while clicking to disable pop-up blocker – or disable it manually.
To run a scan with FF (= Firefox), use IE Tab. Then visit the corresponding link (e.g. the Panda NanoScan) – \’right-click\’ on that link, then choose \”Open Link in IE Tab\”. Extras: If you choose \”Open Link in Ext.App.\”, the link will open in a new IE window, ready with the right Webpage so you don\’t need to do the manual stuffs, ;)
Good luck!
I think this page had links to try different antivirus soft ware one was norton 2008 for free 90 day trial. it was sent out in early feb where did it go i think it had 10 different ones ????
Is it listed from best to worst?
I picked up no. 2 bit defender
Great list. I have only used the first 2.
Thanks, Raymond for these useful sites. I’ll definitely be needing some of those scanners.
Ive been very happy with BitDefender for the last 2 yrs.
Great job on this Raymond.
I have been using Free AVG anti virus for a few years now and up to now have encountered no problems with viruses. The software is updated automatically every couple of days. In my opinion it is a first class FREE anti virus program
oh, no wonder why NanoScan didn’t detect the malware that I put on C:
this is helpful, thanks Raymond