Online Virus Scanner: How to Scan for Viruses Online?

Short on Time? Here are the Best Online Virus Scanners in 2024:

Finding a truly effective online virus scanner can be challenging. Many tools claiming to be online scanners are either free trials for paid antivirus software or, worse, phishing scams designed to steal your data or trick you into downloading malware.

However, there are some genuinely useful online scanning tools available. I’ve spent weeks testing and researching, and while I only found 2 truly online scanners that don’t require any downloads, my other recommendations are still lightweight and provide easy ways to check your system for infections or vulnerabilities.

It’s crucial to remember that none of these products can replace a good premium antivirus. A comprehensive internet security suite like Norton 360 provides significantly more protection than even the best online virus scanner. Norton’s advanced malware scanner detects 100% of malware, and unlike online scanners, Norton can remove malware from your system. Plus, Norton and other top antiviruses come with extra features to keep you safe online, such as anti-phishing protection, a virtual private network (VPN), password manager, and much more.

Try SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner Now

Quick Summary of the Best Online Virus Scanners:

🥇 1. SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner — Best Overall Online System Vulnerability Scanner

SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner is the only truly online tool that lets you perform a quick scan of your device — without needing to download anything — to see if you have any unsafe programs running or software that needs security updates. Vulnerability Scanner doesn’t scan for viruses, but considering hackers and malware often exploit systems through outdated software with vulnerabilities, scanning for outdated software and system vulnerabilities and keeping your software up to date is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent cyberattacks.

It works by using the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database (the world’s largest database of cybersecurity threats) to identify any vulnerabilities or unsafe programs running on your device. Every time IT professionals discover and fix a vulnerability issue in a program, they report it to the database, so all information is always up-to-date.

When I tested the scanner, I found it to be 100% accurate at detecting vulnerabilities on my computer. I also really liked how easy it was to use — it runs automatically when you visit the website, so non-technical users won’t have any issues at all. While there aren’t any customization options or more detailed scans, the scanning process itself only takes a few seconds. It’s even cross-platform and automatically detects the device you’re using. Once the scan is complete, Vulnerability Scanner gives you helpful advice on how to fix the security issues it detected.

Because it’s completely online, Vulnerability Scanner doesn’t offer a way to remove malware. It’s very useful for a quick check on your device at any time, but it’s definitely not an alternative to a dedicated antivirus program. I recommend getting a premium antivirus like Norton 360 to remove malware and keep your device fully protected.

Bottom Line:

SafetyDetectives’s Vulnerability Scanner is the best truly online scanner. It requires no installation, works in seconds, uses the world’s largest database of known cybersecurity threats, and is completely free to use. While it doesn’t offer virus removal like an antivirus, it’s a convenient way to quickly check for issues on almost any device, and it gives you helpful advice on how to resolve any problems.

Try SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner Now

🥈 2. VirusTotal — Compares Results From 70+ Antivirus Scanners to Scan Individual Files

VirusTotal is a web-based service that can scan individual files and URLs for security issues. Its scans are very thorough, analyzing files using engines from over 70 different antivirus scanners including Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, and Avira.

Since it’s entirely web-based, VirusTotal can’t scan your entire device. However, it’s a very useful tool if you have specific files you’re suspicious of and want to analyze. To run a scan — you just need to upload a file or paste a URL into the online portal on VirusTotal’s homepage.

The scans are really quick and provide an impressive amount of detail, showing results from each antivirus engine that VirusTotal uses. I tested VirusTotal’s scanner with a range of malware sample files, and it was able to identify them all. What’s more, identified issues are shared with the VirusTotal community, helping other users in the future.

VirusTotal is just an online virus scanner, so it doesn’t have tools to remove viruses. And unlike my top online scanner pick, SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner, it can’t scan your computer software and running programs, only files and URLs. However, VirusTotal is very straightforward, easy to use, and completely free, so if you have a few files you’re worried about and want to scan them, it’s a good option.

Bottom Line:

VirusTotal is an online-only scanner that can scan files or URLs incredibly quickly using over 70 antivirus engines. The simple scanner is effective yet requires no downloads or installation. While you can’t run a full system scan, if you suspect a file or website and want a detailed scan, VirusTotal is a great choice.

Try VirusTotal Now

🥉 3. Norton Power Eraser — Basic Version of the Top Antivirus on the Market

Norton Power Eraser is a simplified, Windows-only version of Norton antivirus that includes a virus scanner and removal tool. It’s free, easy to use, and was able to find all of the malware samples hidden on my PC.

Unlike SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner, Norton Power Eraser requires a small download. Installation itself is very easy and only takes seconds, but if you’re looking for an online virus scanner with no downloads needed, I recommend SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner instead.

Once you install Norton Power Eraser, you’re given 4 scan options:

• Full System Scan.
• Unwanted Application Scan.
• Scan Files.
• Scan Folders.

There’s also a full rootkit scan that you can select in the Settings menu which provides a deep scan that took around 60 minutes to complete and detected all of the malware on my PC. All scans are super easy to run, requiring no technical expertise.

Unlike the first two scanners on this list, Norton Power Eraser comes with threat removal tools, so if it finds a virus on your device, you can actually deal with it. However, even though it’s more effective at dealing with threats than truly online virus scanners, Norton Power Eraser is still not a replacement for a full antivirus package. Without the real-time protection offered by premium antivirus bundles like Norton 360, you’re essentially unprotected from malware.

If you’re looking for more than just occasional scans, I recommend checking out one of Norton 360’s low-cost packages. Norton Antivirus Plus starts at just $29.99 / year and includes Norton’s excellent scanner, real-time protection, a firewall, password manager, and 2 GB secure file storage for 1 device. However, my favorite package is Norton 360 Deluxe. It covers 5 Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS devices, and adds a VPN with unlimited data, 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:

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 requires a download, it’s very lightweight and provides full system scans, something websites can’t do. However, if you’re considering Power Eraser, it’s worth checking out the enhanced security features of a full Norton 360 antivirus like real-time protection and scheduled scans.

Try Norton Power Eraser Now

4. ESET Online Scanner — Very Thorough Full System Scan

ESET Online Scanner is a free, Windows-only online virus scanner that provides in-depth and customizable system scans. It’s a simplified version of ESET’s premium antivirus and offers great malware detection rates. Like Norton Power Eraser, it uses anti-stealth technology to help detect deeply embedded rootkits on your system.

ESET Online Scanner can quarantine or delete infections it finds during scans (unlike web-based scanners). It does require a small download, but it’s very lightweight. Once you’ve downloaded and installed it, you’re given 3 scan options, including full, quick, and custom scans.

When I tested the full scan, it took around 30 minutes to complete. I was impressed with how thoroughly it searched every part of my system in that time. Quick scans only take a few minutes, providing a basic scan of important areas of your PC. Custom scans of folders, files, or removable media are also possible if you have something specific you want to check. However, there’s no “Unwanted Application Scan” option like Norton Power Eraser offers.

I liked how ESET’s scanner offers monthly scheduled scans and will run automatic scans on your device every month if you enable it. It’s the only product on my list to offer this feature (aside from my bonus premium picks, Norton and Bitdefender which offer a range of scheduling options).

ESET’s cheapest paid plan is Essential Security which costs $39.99 / year. As well as the scanner, it gives you anti-phishing protection and a gamer mode for PC, and it also works on Macs and Androids. However, ESET’s offerings are pretty minimal compared to Norton and Bitdefender’s entry-level plans which offer a range of extra features. However, ESET is still a good option if you just want a lightweight scanner and good virus protection, and its premium plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

ESET Online Scanner is a high-quality, lightweight scanner that only requires a small download. Its full scans only take 30 minutes, detected all of the malware on my PC, and are very thorough. ESET also gives you the option to run automatic monthly scans, a useful bonus.

Try ESET Online Scanner Now

5. Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac — Best Lightweight Scanner for Mac Users

Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is the only scanner on my list (aside from my bonus premium pick) that can perform a full scan on 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.

The virus scanner does require a small download, but this means it can remove threats as well as detect them. Downloading and installing the scanner is very quick and easy, and the interface is incredibly simple to use. There are 3 scan options, including Deep System Scan, Critical Locations Scan, and Custom Location Scan.

Deep System Scans took around 30 minutes and successfully detected 100% of test malware on my MacBook. I was really impressed with how thorough the scan was, and I liked how straightforward the results were, explaining the threat name, the action Bitdefender took, and the path to the infected file.

Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is a fast and reliable tool for identifying infections, but it’s just a scanner, not a full antivirus. There’s no real-time protection, firewall, system optimization tools, or other tools you need to stay fully protected online. If you like Bitdefender but want more than a one-off scan, you’d be much better off getting Bitdefender Total Security.

Bottom Line:

Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is a great free tool for checking your Mac for infections and safely removing them. It offers 3 scan types, including Deep System Scan, Critical Locations Scan, and Custom Location Scan, and it’s very easy to use. Bitdefender’s full scans only take 30 minutes and successfully found 100% of test malware on my MacBook.

Try Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac Now

Bonus. Norton 360 — Best Overall Antivirus for 2024

Norton 360 is the best antivirus on the market in 2024, with a perfect scanner and tons of extra security features. Unlike its more basic version, Norton Power Eraser, it works on all operating systems and does much more than just scan and remove viruses. For example, its excellent real-time protection blocks and removes malware automatically before it can harm your device.

In my testing, Norton’s scanner was able to detect 100% of the malware samples I put on my computer, including viruses, worms, keyloggers, rootkits, and more. Full scans took around 40 minutes, and I was able to use my computer as normal during scans. You can also run quick scans and custom scans on specific folders and locations, and Norton’s Insight tool even flags suspicious files so you know to run custom scans.

Norton provides tons of extra features to protect you from viruses and other online threats, including:

• Ransomware protection.
• Anti-phishing protection.
• Secure firewall.
• Dark web monitoring.
• VPN (unlimited data).
• Parental controls.
• And much more…

Norton’s 360 plans start at $29.99 / year, but the best-value plan is the 360 Deluxe plan which includes real-time threat protection, Norton’s high-quality scanner, a firewall, VPN with unlimited data, 50 GB cloud storage, parental controls, dark web monitoring, and more. It costs $49.99 / year and provides coverage for up to 5 devices across all major operating systems. All of Norton’s plans are backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Norton is the best antivirus on the market, with a perfect malware scanner and a robust suite of cybersecurity tools. It does everything the best online virus scanners do and much more, providing 100% threat detection rates and real-time protection as well as extras like a VPN and anti-phishing protection. You can try Norton’s paid plans risk-free with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Norton review here

Bonus. Bitdefender Total Security — Advanced Features & Excellent Real-Time Protection

Bitdefender Total Security provides a highly customizable and advanced malware scanner and some excellent internet security tools. Like Norton antivirus, you can run full, quick, or custom scans that will detect and remove threats from your device.

Bitdefender’s scanner operates in the cloud, so it’s less likely to slow down your system than some other antiviruses. In my testing, it was able to detect 100% of test malware on my PC. Its full system scans did take a bit longer than Norton, at around an hour. However, this isn’t a big issue as scans are so lightweight that you can use your computer as normal while they run.

I’m a big fan of Bitdefender’s real-time protection (Bitdefender Shield) which actively scans all of your files and email attachments and blocks malware before it has a chance to infect your system. More advanced users can even customize real-time settings to include scanning of archives and scripts. Overall, Bitdefender has the most customizable scanner on the market.

Bitdefender’s extra features include:

• Web protection.
• Ransomware protection.
• VPN (200 MB/day).
• Password manager.
• System optimization.
• Parental controls.
• And more…

I was really impressed with Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer, which was able to clear almost 2 GB of junk files from my PC. It’s a pretty basic tool, but it’s effective and very easy to use, and I saw a noticeable improvement in my PC’s operating speed after running it.

I don’t really like that Bitdefender’s VPN is limited to 200 MB per day on all but its most expensive plan — this is barely enough for light browsing. Norton offers unlimited VPN data on all of its paid plans. However, you can pay extra for Bitdefender’s unlimited VPN which is very fast and good for torrenting.

Total Security is Bitdefender’s best-value plan — it costs $42.49 / year and includes all of Bitdefender’s features, covers 5 devices, and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Bitdefender offers a cloud-based scanner that detects 100% of malware and has highly customizable real-time protection. On top of that, it has cool extras like system optimization, a VPN, parental controls, and a password manager. You can try Bitdefender risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Bitdefender review here

Comparison of the Best Online Virus Scanners for 2024

Online Virus Scanner	Truly Online, No Download?	Removes Viruses?	Full System Scan?	Detects Software Vulnerabilities?	Real-Time Malware Protection?	Customizable Scans?	Extra Online Security Features?	Operating Systems?
1.🥇SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌	Cross-platform
2.🥈VirusTotal	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	Cross-platform
3.🥉Norton Power Eraser	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	Windows
4. ESET Online Scanner	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	Windows
5. Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	macOS
Bonus. Norton 360	❌	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Bonus: Bitdefender Total Security	❌	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Try SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner Now

How to Choose the Best Online Virus Scanner in 2024

Try SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner Now

Top Brands That Didn’t Make the List

• Comodo. Comodo provides a free virus scanner that requires a small download. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform well in my testing. Scans were slow, and results had to be emailed to me rather than displayed directly on the screen. Despite requiring a download, it also doesn’t provide a way to remove found viruses.
• Trend Micro. Trend Micro has a free scanner called HouseCall which is very thorough and only requires a small download. However, it’s slower than others on this list. If you’re looking for a solid Windows scanner with a small download and much faster scans, I’d recommend using Norton Power Eraser instead.
• Fortinet. In my testing, FortiGuard scans were fast and it was able to detect all of my malware samples. It also requires no download, being completely online. My biggest issue was the very small file size limit of 10 MB per file scanned, which is very restrictive. VirusTotal is the only scanner on my list with a max file size limit, and it’s 650 MB per file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do online virus scanners do?

Online virus scanners just scan your files from a remote server and detect viruses for you. While online scanners can’t scan your entire computer, they can work to detect threats in individual files. If you don’t have an antivirus and you suspect a file is infected, you can use an online virus scanner to quickly identify what kind of threat it is. Some downloadable virus scanners, like Norton Power Eraser will have a way to remove threats, but truly online virus scanners can’t remove viruses or malware from your device. They can only tell you what the issue is and offer advice on how you can resolve it yourself.

However, online scanners are no substitute for dedicated antivirus software. To fully protect your system from malware and other online threats, you’re better off installing antivirus software like Norton or Bitdefender.

Do I need to pay for an online virus scanner?

There are some good free virus scanners out there, but they’ll never give you as much protection as a premium antivirus program like Norton 360. Truly online scanners will lack virus removal tools, and even downloadable free virus scanners that can remove malware don’t provide real-time protection. However, if you just want to run a quick scan because you think your device may be infected, a free virus scanner is a decent option.

It’s also important to be aware that there are many fake cybersecurity companies offering ‘free’ scanners that will steal data while scanning your device. I made sure to only include truly trustworthy scanners on my list.

Will an online virus scanner remove viruses from my computer?

No — the most online scanners can do is scan files or active programs on your device, flag malware, and give advice on how you can deal with it yourself. Some scanners on this list, like Norton Power Eraser and Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac, do have the ability to remove malware and viruses, but this functionality always requires a download.

As a general rule, if a website claims it can remove viruses from your computer, it’s lying. Purely online scanners simply aren’t 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 they can still be a useful tool if you’re looking for a second opinion on a file — although at that point I’d recommend getting a better antivirus. A good antivirus does everything an online scanner can do, and much more.

With a premium antivirus package like Norton 360, you get a proficient virus scanner, threat removal tools, and real-time protection from viruses before they become an issue. Norton also offers a range of helpful extras like parental controls, a VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoring, and you can try it risk-free with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Here are the Best Antivirus Programs of 2024:

Rank	Provider	Overall Score	Best Deal
1		9.8	Save 77%
2		9.6	Save 51%
3		9.4	Save 70.00%
4		9.4	Save 81%
5		9.4	Save 65%

Note: Intego and this website are owned by the same parent company.