Scan Your PC for Viruses Online: Top Online Virus Scanners for 2024

Quick Summary of the Best Online Virus Scanners:

Online virus scanners can be tricky to find, and true online scanners are even rarer. Many claim to be online scanners but are actually free trials of 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. After extensive testing, I’ve identified a couple of truly online scanners that don’t require downloads. My other recommendations are lightweight and offer easy ways to check your system for infections or vulnerabilities.

It’s important to remember that these online scanners are not substitutes for premium antivirus software. A comprehensive internet security suite like Norton 360 provides significantly stronger protection than even the best online virus scanner. Norton’s advanced malware scanner detects 100% of malware and, unlike online scanners, can remove malware from your system. Top antiviruses like Norton also include extra features like anti-phishing protection, VPNs, password managers, and more to keep you safe online.

Try SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner Now

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

The SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner is a truly online tool that lets you quickly scan your device — without any downloads — to check for insecure programs or software needing security updates. While it doesn’t scan for viruses directly, it’s crucial to understand that hackers and malware often exploit systems through outdated software with known vulnerabilities. Scanning for outdated software and system vulnerabilities, and keeping your software up to date, is a key step in preventing cyberattacks.

This scanner uses the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database, the world’s largest database of cybersecurity threats, to identify vulnerabilities or insecure programs on your device. When IT professionals discover and fix a vulnerability in a program, they report it to this database, ensuring the information is always current.

During testing, the Vulnerability Scanner accurately detected 100% of vulnerabilities on my computer. I also appreciated its ease of use — the scan starts automatically when you visit the website, making it simple for non-technical users. The UI is also translated into Indonesian for user convenience. While it lacks customization options or deeper scans, the process is quick, taking only seconds. It’s also cross-platform, automatically detecting your device. After scanning, the Vulnerability Scanner provides helpful advice on how to fix the security issues it finds.

Being purely online, the Vulnerability Scanner can’t remove malware. It’s excellent for quick checks, but it’s not a substitute for dedicated antivirus software. For malware removal and complete protection, I recommend a premium antivirus like Norton 360.

Bottom Line:

SafetyDetectives’ Vulnerability Scanner is the best truly online scanner. It requires no installation, works in seconds, uses the largest cybersecurity threat database, and is completely free. While it doesn’t offer virus removal, it’s a convenient way to quickly check for issues on almost any device and provides helpful advice for fixing them.

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

VirusTotal is a web-based service for scanning files and URLs for security issues. It offers very detailed scans, analyzing files using engines from over 70 different antivirus scanners, including Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, and Avira.

Because it’s web-based, VirusTotal can’t scan your entire device. However, it’s extremely useful if you have specific files or URLs you’re unsure about and want to analyze. To scan, simply upload a file or paste a URL into the online portal on VirusTotal’s homepage.

Scans are fast and provide impressive detail, showing results from each antivirus engine used. I tested VirusTotal with malware samples, and it identified all of them. Detected issues are also shared with the VirusTotal community, benefiting other users in the future.

VirusTotal is purely an online virus scanner, so it lacks virus removal tools. Unlike my top pick, SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner, it can’t scan computer software and running programs, only individual files and URLs. However, VirusTotal is straightforward, easy to use, and free, making it a good choice for scanning suspicious files.

Bottom Line:

VirusTotal is a purely online scanner that quickly scans files or URLs using over 70 antivirus engines. This simple scanner is effective and requires no downloads or installation. While it can’t perform full system scans, VirusTotal is excellent for detailed scans of suspicious files or websites.

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🥉 3. Norton Power Eraser — A Basic Version of a Top Antivirus

Norton Power Eraser is a simplified, Windows-only version of Norton antivirus, including a scanner and virus removal tool. It’s free, user-friendly, and successfully found all malware samples hidden on my PC.

Unlike the SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner, Norton Power Eraser requires a small download. Installation is quick, taking only seconds, but if you’re looking for a truly online virus scanner without downloads, the SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner is preferable.

Once installed, Norton Power Eraser offers 4 scan options:

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

A full rootkit scan, selectable in the Settings menu, provides a deep scan taking about 60 minutes and detected all malware on my PC. All scans are easy to run without technical expertise.

Unlike the first two scanners, Norton Power Eraser includes threat removal tools, so you can address any viruses found. However, despite being more effective at handling threats than purely online scanners, Norton Power Eraser isn’t a replacement for a complete antivirus package. Without real-time protection provided by premium antivirus bundles like Norton 360, you’re essentially unprotected against malware.

For more than occasional scans, consider Norton 360 packages. Norton Antivirus Plus starts at £19.99 / year and includes Norton’s superior scanner, real-time protection, a firewall, password manager, and 2 GB secure file storage for 1 device. My favorite is Norton 360 Deluxe, covering 5 Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS devices, and adding a VPN with unlimited data, parental controls, dark web monitoring, 50 GB cloud storage, and more, for £19.99 / year. All Norton plans have a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Norton Power Eraser is a free, Windows-only scanner with threat removal, using the same high-quality scanner as full Norton antivirus. While it requires a download, it’s lightweight and offers full system scans, which websites can’t. However, consider the enhanced security features of full Norton 360 antivirus, like real-time protection and scheduled scans.

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4. ESET Online Scanner — Highly Thorough Full System Scan

ESET Online Scanner is a free, Windows-only online virus scanner offering deep, customizable system scans. It’s a simplified version of premium ESET antivirus with great malware detection rates. Like Norton Power Eraser, it uses anti-stealth technology to detect deeply embedded rootkits.

ESET Online Scanner can quarantine or delete detected infections (unlike web-based scanners). It requires a small, lightweight download. After downloading and installing, you get 3 scan options: full scan, quick scan, and custom scan.

The full scan took about 30 minutes and thoroughly checked every part of my system. Quick scans take just minutes, performing basic scans of critical PC areas. Custom scans of folders, files, or removable media are also available. However, it lacks an “Unwanted Application Scan” like Norton Power Eraser.

ESET Scanner offers optional monthly scheduled scans, running automatic scans if enabled. It’s the only product on this list with this feature (besides premium bonuses Norton and Bitdefender, which offer extensive scheduling options).

ESET’s cheapest paid plan, Essential Security, costs £40.31 / year. Besides the scanner, it adds anti-phishing protection and a gamer mode for PCs, and also works on Mac and Android. However, ESET’s offerings are quite minimal compared to lower-tier plans from Norton and Bitdefender, which provide more extra features. But ESET is a good option if you want a lightweight scanner with good virus protection, and its premium plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

ESET Online Scanner is a lightweight, high-quality scanner requiring only a small download. Its full scan took just 30 minutes, detected all malware on my PC, and was very thorough. ESET also offers optional 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 this list (besides my premium bonus pick) that can perform full scans on Macs. It uses Bitdefender’s cloud-based scanner to check for viruses and malware, and it’s completely free.

This virus scanner requires a small download, but this means it can remove threats as well as detect them. Downloading and installing the scanner is fast and easy, and the interface is incredibly user-friendly. There are 3 scan options, including Deep System Scan, Critical Locations Scan, and Custom Location Scan.

The Deep System Scan took about 30 minutes and detected 100% of test malware on my MacBook. I was impressed by its thoroughness and the straightforward presentation of results, detailing threat names, actions taken by Bitdefender, and paths to infected files.

Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is a quick, reliable tool for identifying and removing infections, but it’s just a scanner, not a full antivirus. It lacks real-time protection, a firewall, system optimization tools, or other features needed for complete online protection. If you like Bitdefender but want more than a one-time scan, Bitdefender Total Security is a much better choice.

Bottom Line:

Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac is a great free tool for checking and safely removing infections on your Mac. 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 scan took only 30 minutes and found 100% of test malware on my MacBook.

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Bonus. Norton 360 — Top Overall Antivirus for 2024

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

In my tests, Norton’s scanner detected 100% of malware samples, including viruses, worms, keyloggers, rootkits, and more. Full scans took about 40 minutes, and I could use my computer normally during scans. You can also run quick scans and custom scans of specific folders and locations, and Norton Insight even flags suspicious files for custom scans.

Norton provides numerous additional 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 360 plans start at £19.99 / year, but the best-value plan is 360 Deluxe, 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 £19.99 / year and covers up to 5 devices across all major operating systems. All Norton plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Bottom Line:

Norton is the best antivirus on the market, with a perfect malware scanner and robust cybersecurity tools. It does everything the best online virus scanners do and much more, providing 100% threat detection, real-time protection, and 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 offers a highly customizable and advanced malware scanner and excellent internet security tools. Like Norton antivirus, you can run full, quick, or custom scans to detect and remove threats.

Bitdefender’s scanner operates in the cloud, so it’s less likely to slow down your system compared to some other antiviruses. In my tests, it detected 100% of test malware. Full system scans took a bit longer than Norton, around an hour. However, scans are very lightweight, allowing you to use your computer as usual during scans.

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

Bitdefender’s extra features include:

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

I was impressed with Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer, which cleared almost 2 GB of junk files from my PC. It’s basic but effective and easy to use, and I noticed a real improvement in my PC’s operating speed after cleaning.

I dislike that Bitdefender’s VPN is limited to 200 MB daily on all but the most expensive plan — barely enough for light browsing. Norton offers unlimited VPN data on all 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 — priced at £37.50 / year, it includes all Bitdefender’s features, covers 5 devices, and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. All plans have 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. It also has great 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 for 2024

Try SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner Now

Top Brands That Didn’t Make the List

• Comodo. Comodo provides a free virus scanner requiring a small download. However, it performed poorly in my tests. Scans were slow, and results were emailed rather than displayed immediately. Despite requiring a download, it offers no virus removal.
• Trend Micro. Trend Micro has a free scanner called HouseCall that’s very thorough and requires a small download. However, it’s slower than others on this list. For a robust Windows scanner with a small download and much faster scans, I recommend Norton Power Eraser.
• Fortinet. During my tests, FortiGuard scans were fast and detected all malware samples. It’s also truly online, requiring no download. My main issue was the tiny 10 MB file size limit per scan, which is very restrictive. 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 scan your files from a remote server and detect viruses. While they can’t scan your entire computer, they can detect threats in individual files. If you don’t have antivirus software and suspect a file is infected, an online virus scanner can quickly identify the threat. Some downloadable scanners, like Norton Power Eraser, can remove threats, but purely online scanners can’t remove viruses or malware from your device. They can only tell you what the problem is and offer advice on how to fix it yourself.

Online scanners are not a complete replacement for dedicated antivirus software. For full system protection from malware and online threats, install antivirus software like Norton or Bitdefender.

Do I need to pay for an online virus scanner?

There are good free online virus scanners, but they never provide as much protection as premium antivirus programs like Norton 360. Truly online scanners lack virus removal tools, and even free downloadable scanners that can remove malware don’t offer real-time protection. However, if you just want a quick scan because you think your device might be infected, a free virus scanner is fine.

Be aware that many fake cybersecurity companies offer ‘free’ scanners that steal data during scans. I’ve only included truly trustworthy scanners on my list.

Will an online virus scanner remove viruses from my computer?

No — online scanners can only scan files or running programs, flag malware, and give advice on how to handle it. Some scanners on this list, like Norton Power Eraser and Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac, can remove malware and viruses, but this functionality always requires a download.

Generally, websites claiming to remove viruses from your computer are lying. Purely online scanners can’t access your system in that way.

Do I need an online virus scanner if I have good antivirus software?

In short, no, but they can be useful for a second opinion on a file — though a better antivirus is preferable. Good antivirus does everything online scanners do, and much more.

With a premium antivirus suite like Norton 360, you get a powerful virus scanner, threat removal tools, and real-time protection from viruses before they become a problem. Norton also offers useful 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.