VirusTotal is a free antivirus tool developed by Hispasec Sistemas. It is an online virus and malware scanner that can be used across devices and platforms. Users can check files downloaded from the internet for potential threats and receive appropriate countermeasures.
As a companion to the VirusTotal Uploader desktop app, VirusTotal offers users an alternative way to access its features online without installation. It also provides multiple subscription services in the form of an advanced API, unlocking more features and options for power users and applications.
Comprehensive Virus Scanning
There are three main ways to use VirusTotal. The first is file scanning. Simply follow the instructions to upload a file to the website and wait for the results. If the same file has been recently submitted to the database, the system will allow you to view the existing analysis without scanning it again.
The second method is URL scanning, where you can input a website address to check for any possible threats or anomalies. For both scan types, the antivirus tool gathers results from over 90 trusted sources. You can explore more under the Detection and Details tabs on the results page, and visit the “Community” tab to see comments and ratings from other users.
The final method is search scanning, which allows general queries using domain names and file hashes, building on the two previous methods. Note that the free version has limitations—specifically, you can only make 500 requests per day and 4 requests per minute. A subscription is one way to bypass these restrictions, although it comes at a fairly high cost.
Convenient and Easy to Use
In summary, if you simply want to make sure that downloaded files are safe and that the websites you visit are secure, VirusTotal is a convenient tool worth considering. While a subscription is available, the free version is sufficient for most needs, making it an ideal choice—as long as you're mindful of its limitations.
