How to Scan for Viruses Online: Top Online Virus Scanners for 2025

Don’t have time? Here are the best online virus scanners for 2025:

Good online virus scanners are surprisingly hard to find. Many tools advertised as online scanners are actually just free trials of paid antivirus software, or worse, phishing scams designed to steal your data or trick you into downloading malware.

However, there are a few genuinely useful online scanning tools available. I 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 important to remember that none of these products can replace a good premium antivirus. A comprehensive internet security suite like Norton 360 will give you far more significant 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 tons of extra features to keep you safe online, like anti-phishing protection, a virtual private network (VPN), a password manager, and more.

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Quick Summary of the Best Online Virus Scanners:

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

SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner is the only truly online tool that lets you perform a quick scan of your device — no download needed — to see if you have any unsafe programs running or software that needs security updates. The Known Vulnerabilities Scanner doesn’t scan for viruses, but considering hackers and malware often exploit systems through outdated software with vulnerabilities, scanning for outdated software and system vulnerabilities and keeping your software up to date is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent cyberattacks.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 find and fix a vulnerability issue in a program, they report it to the database, so the information is always up-to-date.

When I tested the scanner, I found it was able to detect vulnerabilities on my computer with 100% accuracy. I also really liked how easy the scanner was to use — it runs automatically when you visit the website, so non-technical users won’t have any trouble at all. While there are no customization options or more detailed scans, the scanning process itself only takes a few seconds. The scanner is even cross-platform and automatically detects the device you are using. Once the scan is complete, the Known Vulnerabilities Scanner gives you helpful advice on how to fix the security issues it detected.

Because it’s completely online, the Known Vulnerabilities Scanner doesn’t provide a way to remove malware. It’s great for quick checks on your devices at any time, but it’s definitely not an alternative to dedicated antivirus software. I recommend opting for a premium antivirus like Norton 360 to remove malware and keep your devices fully protected.

Bottom Line:

SafetyDetectives’s Known Vulnerabilities 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 provide virus removal tools 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 those issues.

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🥈 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.

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

The scans are very fast and present an impressive amount of detail, showing you the results from each of the antivirus engines VirusTotal uses. I tested VirusTotal’s scanner with a range of malware sample files, and it was able to identify all of them. What’s more, the issues it identifies are shared with the VirusTotal community, helping other users in the future.

VirusTotal is just an online virus scanner, so it doesn’t have the tools to remove viruses. And unlike my top online scanner pick, SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner, it can’t scan your computer’s software and running programs, only individual files and URLs. However, VirusTotal is very straightforward, easy to use, and completely free, so if you have a few files you are 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 but requires no download or installation. While you can’t run full system scans, if you suspect a file or website and want to scan it in detail, VirusTotal is a great choice.

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

Norton Power Eraser is a stripped-down version of Norton antivirus just for Windows, including 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 Known Vulnerabilities Scanner, Norton Power Eraser requires a small download. The installation itself is very easy and only takes a few seconds, but if you are looking for an online virus scanner with no download needed, I’d recommend SafetyDetectives Known Vulnerabilities Scanner instead.

Once you install Norton Power Eraser, you are given 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 Settings menu, which provides a deep scan that took around 60 minutes to complete and detected all of the malware on my PC. All of the scans are super easy to run, with no technical expertise required.

Unlike the first two scanners on this list, Norton Power Eraser comes with threat removal tools, so if it finds viruses on your device, you can actually deal with them. However, even though it’s more effective at dealing with threats than truly online virus scanners, Norton Power Eraser is still no replacement for a full antivirus package. Without the real-time protection provided by a premium antivirus bundle like Norton 360, you’re essentially unprotected from malware.

If you’re looking for more than just the occasional scan, I recommend checking out one of Norton 360’s low-cost packages. Norton Antivirus Plus starts at just $19.99 / 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 Norton’s full 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 well worth checking out the enhanced security features of a full Norton 360 antivirus like real-time protection and scheduled scans.

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4. ESET Online Scanner — Very Thorough Full System Scans

ESET Online Scanner is a free Windows-only online virus scanner that provides deep and customizable system scans. The online scanner is a stripped-down 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 download and install it, you’re given 3 scan options, including a full scan, quick scan, and custom scan.

When I tested the full scan, it took around 30 minutes to complete. I was impressed at how thoroughly the scanner searched every part of my system in that time. The quick scan only took 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 automatically run a scan 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 provide 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 PCs, and it also works on Macs and Androids. However, ESET’s offerings are quite minimal compared to low-tier plans from Norton and Bitdefender which provide a wider 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 come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

ESET Online Scanner is a 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.

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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 full scans on your Mac. It uses Bitdefender’s cloud-based scanner to check your machine for viruses and other malware, 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 exceptionally simple to use. 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 successfully detected 100% of the test malware on my MacBook. I was really impressed with how thorough the scan was, and I liked how straightforward the results were presented, 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 just one-off scans, you’re much better off opting for 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 is very easy to use. Bitdefender’s full scan only took 30 minutes and successfully found 100% of test malware on my MacBook.

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Bonus. Norton 360 — Best Overall Antivirus for 2025

Norton 360 is the best antivirus on the market for 2025, with a perfect scanner and tons of extra security features. Unlike its more basic version, Norton Power Eraser, it works across all operating systems and is capable of much more than just scanning and removing viruses. For example, its excellent real-time protection blocks malware and removes it automatically before it can damage 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 take around 40 minutes, and I was able to use my computer as normal during the scan. You can also run quick scans and custom scans of specific folders and locations, and Norton’s Insight tool even flags suspicious files for you to run custom scans on.

Norton provides a lot 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 a lot more…

Norton’s 360 plans start at $19.99 / year, but the best value plan is the 360 Deluxe plan which includes real-time threat protection, Norton’s quality scanner, a firewall, a 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 a lot more, providing 100% threat detection rates and real-time protection as well as extra security features 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 an advanced and highly customizable 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 on the cloud, so it’s less likely to slow down your system compared to some other antiviruses. In my testing, it was able to detect 100% of test malware on my PC. Its full system scan took just over an hour, which is a little longer than Norton. However, it’s not a big issue as the scans are so lightweight you can use your computer as normal while they are running.

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 gets a chance to infect your system. More advanced users can even customize the real-time settings to include scanning of archives and scripts. Overall, Bitdefender has the most customizable scanner on the market.

Extra features offered by Bitdefender 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 managed to clear almost 2 GB of junk files from my PC. It’s a pretty basic tool, but it’s effective and super easy to use, and I saw a noticeable improvement in my PC’s operating speed after running it.

I’m not a big fan of Bitdefender’s VPN being capped at 200 MB per day on all but the most expensive plan — it’s barely enough for light browsing. Norton offers unlimited VPN data on all of its paid plans. However, if you’re willing to pay extra, Bitdefender’s unlimited VPN is very fast and good for torrenting.

Total Security is Bitdefender’s best-value plan — it costs $42.99 / year and includes all of Bitdefender’s features, covers up to 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 extra features 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

Best Online Virus Scanners Compared for 2025

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How to Choose the Best Online Virus Scanner for 2025

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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 the results had to be emailed to me rather than displayed on 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. During my testing, FortiGuard’s scans were fast and it was able to detect all of my malware samples. The scanner also requires no download, being completely online. My biggest issue is the very small file size limit of 10 MB for individual file scans, which is extremely limiting. VirusTotal is the only scanner on my list with a maximum file size limit, and it’s 650 MB per file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do online virus scanners do?

Online virus scanners simply 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 within individual files. If you don’t already have an antivirus and you suspect a file is infected, you can use an online virus scanner to quickly identify what type 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 problem is and offer advice on how you can resolve the issue yourself.

However, online scanners are no full replacement 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 available, but they will never give you as much protection as a premium antivirus program like Norton 360. Truly online scanners 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 genuinely trustworthy scanners on my list.

Will an online virus scanner remove viruses from my computer?

No — the most an online scanner can do is scan files or active programs on your device, flag malware, and give you 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 good antivirus software?

The short answer is no, but they can still be a useful tool if you’re looking for a second opinion on a file — though at that point I’d recommend a better antivirus. A good antivirus does everything an online scanner can do, and a lot more.

With a premium antivirus package like Norton 360, you get a capable virus scanner, threat removal tools, and real-time protection from viruses before they become an issue. Norton also offers a range of helpful 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.

Here are the Best Antivirus Programs of 2025:

Note Editor: Intego and this website are owned by the same group of companies.