Scan Your Laptop for Viruses Online: Top Free Scanners & Are They Enough?

Don’t have time? Here are the best online virus scanners in 2024:

Good online virus scanners are surprisingly hard to find. Many services claiming to be 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 on the internet. 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.

But it’s crucial to remember that none of these products can replace a good premium antivirus. A comprehensive internet security suite like Norton 360 will give you 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 actually remove malware from your system. Plus, top antiviruses like Norton 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 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 — with no download needed — to see if you have any unsafe programs running or if any of your software needs security updates. Vulnerability Scanner doesn’t scan for viruses, but considering hackers and malware often exploit systems through outdated software containing vulnerabilities, scanning for outdated software and system vulnerabilities and keeping software up to date is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent cyberattacks.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 of the information is always up-to-date.

When I tested the scanner, I found it was 100% accurate at detecting vulnerabilities on my computer. I also really liked how easy the scanner is to use — it runs automatically when you visit the website, so non-technical users won’t have any trouble at all. While there aren’t any customization options or more in-depth 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, Vulnerability Scanner gives you helpful advice on how to fix the security issues it detected.

Because it’s completely online, Vulnerability Scanner doesn’t provide 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 opting for a premium antivirus like Norton 360 to remove malware and keep your device fully protected.

Bottom line:

SafetyDetectives 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 provide virus removal like an antivirus, it’s a convenient way to quickly check for issues on virtually any device and it also gives you helpful advice on how to resolve them.

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.

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

The scans are super quick and present an impressive amount of detail, showing the 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, the issues it identifies are shared with the VirusTotal community, helping other users in the future.

VirusTotal is purely 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 computer 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’re worried about and want to scan them, it’s a good choice.

Bottom line:

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

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

Norton Power Eraser is a stripped-down, 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 sample malware hiding on my PC.

Unlike SafetyDetectives Vulnerability Scanner, Norton Power Eraser requires a small download. The installation itself is very easy and only takes a few seconds, but if you’re looking for a virus scanner online with no download 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 you can select in the Settings menu which provides an in-depth scan that takes around 60 minutes to complete and detected all of the malware on my PC. All of the 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 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 suite. 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 the occasional scan, I recommend checking out one of Norton 360’s low-cost packages. Norton Antivirus Plus is only $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 Norton 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.

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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. The online scanner is 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 rootkits deeply embedded in 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 with how thoroughly it searched every part of my system in that time. The quick scan only took a few minutes, providing a basic scan of critical 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 isn’t an “Unwanted Application Scan” option like Norton Power Eraser offers.

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

ESET’s cheapest paid plan is Essential Security which costs $49.99 / year. In addition to the scanner, it gives you anti-phishing protection and a gamer mode for PCs, and also works on Macs and Androids. However, ESET’s offerings are quite minimal compared to Norton and Bitdefender’s low-tier plans which provide 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 quality, lightweight scanner that only requires a small download. Its full scan only takes 30 minutes, detected all of the malware on my PC, and is 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 (besides my bonus premium pick) that can run 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 that 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 user-friendly. 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 it was to view the results, 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 features 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 a 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 2024

Norton 360 is the best antivirus on the market in 2024, with a perfect scanner and tons of extra security features. Unlike its stripped-down version, Norton Power Eraser, it works on all operating systems and is capable of much more than just scanning and removing 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 sample malware 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 of specific folders and locations, and Norton’s Insight tool even flags suspicious files for you to run custom scans on.

Norton provides a wide range 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 $29.99 / year, but the best-value plan is the 360 Deluxe plan which includes real-time threat protection, Norton’s excellent 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 flawless 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 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 the 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 scan took just over an hour, which is a little longer than Norton. However, it’s not a big deal as the scans are so lightweight 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 the 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 up 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 did notice a definite improvement in my PC’s operating speed after running it.

I’m not a big fan that Bitdefender’s VPN is limited to 200 MB per day on all but its 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 $42.49 / 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 the full Bitdefender review here

Comparison of the Best Online Virus Scanners for 2024

Online Virus Scanner	Truly Online, No Download Needed?	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

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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 directly on screen. Despite requiring a download, it also didn’t provide a way to remove any viruses it found.
• Trend Micro. Trend Micro has a free scanner called HouseCall that is very thorough and only requires a small download. However, it’s slower than others on this list. If you’re looking for a robust Windows scanner with a small download and much faster scans, I recommend going with Norton Power Eraser instead.
• Fortinet. During my testing, FortiGuard’s scans were fast and it was able to detect all of my sample malware. The scanner also requires no downloads, being fully online. My biggest issue is the very small file size limit of 10 MB for individual file scans, which is really restrictive. VirusTotal is the only scanner on my list with a maximum file size limit, and it’s a much more generous 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 whole computer, they can work to detect threats in 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 issue is and offer advice on how you can resolve it yourself.

However, online scanners are no 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 will lack virus removal tools, and even free downloadable 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 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 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 would recommend a better antivirus. A good antivirus does everything an online scanner can do, and a lot more.

With a premium antivirus suite like Norton 360, you get a proficient virus scanner, threat removal tools, and real-time protection from viruses before they become a problem. 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% Visit Website
2		9.6	Save 51% Visit Website
3		9.4	Save 70.00% Visit Website
4		9.4	Save 81% Visit Website
5		9.4	Save 65% Visit Website

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