In general, if a virus scanner finds YOU before you find IT, it's probably best to back away. It may look like a well-known brand's page, but one character's difference in the URL can mean that you're about to download a virus instead of its cure. You must also carefully check the website address before running any online virus scanner. Check out my list of free anti-virus programs here.įree online virus scanners are safe and effective if you stick to known brands. That's because their full-blown desktop versions are available for you to download, use fully, and then buy if you are satisfied.

You won't find free online virus scanners at the Web sites of AVG, Avast, and other 'free for non-commercial use' antivirus software developers. If you are a non-commercial user, you really don't have to pay for top-notch antivirus protection. Remember, free online virus scanners are typically lead-ins to purchases of commercial antivirus software that actually neutralizes the threats found. But there is much to think about! Some Safe Online Virus Scannersĭo you know anything about the company that just informed you that you have a major malware problem? Free online virus scanners are offered by well-known security software developers, such as the ones listed below the website addresses are also shown and you should be careful that you go to these authentic sites: The idea is to alarm and panic you into buying the software without taking time to think. They scare the heck out you with jittering popup windows, with warnings screaming in blinking red and yellow letters, 'ALERT! WARNING! DANGER! YOUR COMPUTER IS INFECTED WITH MALWARE!' or 'YOU NEED TO BUY OUR VIRUS REMOVAL PROGRAM RIGHT NOW! CLICK HERE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!' So-called 'rogue online virus scanners' always find lots of malware on any computer they scan. Now it should be obvious why there are so many free online virus scanners out there! But many of them are wolves in sheep's clothing. To fix any problems reported by the free online virus scanner, you often must pay for a full-blown antivirus program. These are features found in desktop antivirus packages. It may not be able to quarantine any viruses or spyware, or disinfect your computer.Īlso, a free online virus scanner does not continually monitor incoming and outgoing Internet traffic for threats and block attempts to install unknown software. But an online virus scanner typically only reports what it finds.

It can examine your computer for viruses and other malware through your web browser, just as a desktop antivirus program's scan would do. What are free online virus scanners, are they safe, and should you be using one? An online virus scanner is a program that runs on a remote server.

Apple virus scan alert