Free Virus Scans are a great way to discover the fate of your machine and then take necessary action if you are unlucky enough to have picked something up. We have reviewed all of the best Free Virus Scan providers of 2017 and complied them in a list of who we rate the highest. Take a look and protect your computer today. Free Virus Scans are a great way to discover the fate of your machine and then take necessary action if you are unlucky enough to have picked something up. We have reviewed all of the best Free Virus Scan providers of 2017 and complied them in a list of who we rate the highest. Take a look and protect your computer today.

Best free malware removal software

Read on below for more detailed reviews

It's more than just viruses, trojans, or worms that can infect your PC or computing devices - there's a host of other malware that can seek to use, abuse, and otherwise detrimentally impact them.

Malware could be anything from spyware or keyloggers that aim to steal your financial information, to hacks that take over your computer to join a botnet for anything from email spamming or crytocurrency mining. Infamously there is now an increased danger of ransomware that aims to shut you out from all your files unless you make an anonymous payment to unlock them.

Whichever form it takes, malware is unwanted and toxic. However, even with the best anti-virus protection it's possible for some form of malware to slip through your defences and undermine your computer.

This is where some form of malware-removal can become essential, allowing you to scan your files and isolate any potential malware residing in them - and remove it. The warning is that malware is often very difficult to remove, so you need to ensure you have the best removal tool available.

Here then is a selection of the best in malware removal, and should hopefully help address, correct, and clean up any malware infection you may have experienced.

• Worried about ransomware? Check out these free anti-ransomware software tools
• Installing the best free VPN is another way to stay protected

• Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

The most effective free malware remover, with deep scans and daily updates

If you suspect a malware infection, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should be your first port of call. It’s updated daily, so you can trust it to identify and remove new threats the minute they appear.

The first time you install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, you’re given a 14-day trial of the premium edition, which includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and specific protection from ransomware. After two weeks, it reverts to the basic free version. This has to be activated manually, but is still a top-notch security tool. We recommend running it at least once a week to check or any nasties that you haven't noticed, or if you notice that your web browser has suddenly started acting strangely (likely a result of adware).

Last year, Malwarebytes bought Adwcleaner, which – as its name suggests – targets and removes annoying programs that hijack your browser by changing your homepage, resetting your default search engine, or adding unwanted toolbars. It’s also available free, and along with Anti-Malware, is a great addition to your security toolkit.

2. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Prevention is better than cure, and Bitdefender delivers both

If you’re thinking about replacing your antivirus software, check out Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition. It has a dedicated anti-malware engine to help you avoid an infection in the first place, and mop up any existing problems.

One of BitDefender’s best features is the ability to scan files or folders that look a bit suspicious by simply dragging and dropping them onto its home screen (it might be a good idea to do this with your Downloads folder if you’ve noticed some funny business lately). Any unpleasantness detected by the malware removal engine will be swiftly quarantined, and can be disposed of at your leisure.

BitDefender is unobtrusive, but its Protection Shield will alert you to any malicious attempts to compromise your system. All in all, it’s an excellent foundation for your anti-malware arsenal.

3. Adaware Antivirus Free

Adaware can replace your antivirus or work an anti-malware supplement

Adaware Antivirus Free is another great option if you’re building an anti-malware toolkit from the ground up. It includes a virtual environment where suspicious programs can be analysed to see if they behave like malware (a technique known as heuristic analysis). This means you’re always protected from new malware – even if you’re the very first person to be affected and the malicious program isn’t yet in Adaware’s database of known threats. The malware can then be safely contained and removed.

All this happens quietly in the background, and can be suspended temporarily if you want your processor’s full power for a gaming session.

Adaware Antivirus Free can also scan downloads before you install them, helping prevent malware infestations in the first place by filtering their most common point of entry.

Best of all, if you're just looking for a way to boost your existing antivirus software, Adaware's installer lets you choose a version without real-time scanning that won't conflict with other antivirus tools.

4. Emsisoft Emergency Kit

A portable app that’s perfect if you’ve become the family tech support

Operating system: Windows

If you’re called in to help a friend with a malware infestation, Emsisoft Emergency Kit is the tool for you. It’s a portable app, so you can keep it handy on a USB stick, or your cloud storage service of choice (it’s only 591MB, though it does generate log files, which will take up a little extra room).

Like any malware removal tool, Emsisoft Emergency Kit has a database of current threats, and the PC you’re cleaning needs an internet connection so the software can check for updates.

Once it’s updated itself, it scans the PC for threats and quarantines anything it finds to stop it doing further damage to your system. After a quick reboot, the files will be deleted.

5. SUPERAntiSpyware

All-round protection from malware that gives you full control over scans

Operating system: Windows

The free edition of SUPERAntiSpyware detects all forms of malicious software – including adware and spyware – and removes every trace quickly and efficiently.

If you suspect that a particular file might contain malware, you can submit it to SUPERAntiSpyware’s threat labs, where its behavior will be analyzed. It’s not as fast or convenient as tools that scan files using a virtual machine, but is a good option if your system is low on resources.

You can also control which types of file are scanned, whether SUPERAntiSpyware should follow shortcuts, and whether it should check inside ZIP archives – very handy if you’ve downloaded a program in an archive and want to check it before extracting the contents.

Scans must be performed manually, but SUPERAntiSpyware’s granular control makes it a great choice for more confident users.

6. Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is a free anti-malware tool provided by Microsoft. The MSRT is normally downloaded with automatic updates, to run alongside the built-in Windows Defender AntiVirus.

However, for those users with automatic updates normally turned-off you can download the software directly.

The MSRT is updated once a month to deal with the most prevalant threats, namely posed by viruses, worms, and trojans.

If it doesn't detect anything it will run in quiet mode, but it if does a balloon alert will appear stating that malware has been detected and needs to be removed.

If you struggle to remove any problems with the MSRT, then you could also try the Microsoft Safety Scanner which is also available as a download.

This is also designed my Microsoft to detect and remove malware from Windows computers, but it intended to run in support of the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool.

A free online virus scan sounds rather appealing. First of all, it means that you don’t have to download anything to check files for viruses. Besides, it is totally free – and that’s the best part. However, we all know that free stuff is rarely high-quality. That’s why naturally the question “Can I trust it?” pops up.

What is an online virus scanner?

It is a tool that allows uploading files and checking them for viruses. This means that you can check only certain items, not the whole system.

While such instruments can be no doubt convenient in certain situations, they cannot replace antivirus software. They cannot protect you from malware (best anti malware software) and heal files as they get infected. Also, these tools can check the file only for known viruses. An online virus scanner isn’t able to spot suspicious behavior and detect a previously unknown threat.

Best Free Online Virus Scanners:

1. Avira Online Virus Scanner;
2. VirusTotal Scanner;
3. MetaDefender Cloud;
4. FortiGuard;
5. Jotti’s Malware Scan.

Therefore, we advise to use such instruments only when you need to check files for viruses and can’t install an antivirus program for some reason. Another way to use an online scanner is to get a second opinion on a particular file.

But if the only reason you don’t install an antivirus software is its price, then you should consider free options reputable companies offer. Of course, such programs will have a limited set of features, but they will provide you with decent protection at no cost.

Best Free Desktop Virus Scanners:

1. Eset Scanner;
2. Norton Security Scan;
3. F-Secure Scanner.

Top-5 Truly Online Virus Scanners – Totally FREE

Here are the most reliable providers that offer a free online virus scan and removal, and require no download.

1. Avira Online Virus Scanner

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Avira offers a decent online virus scan. It is based on Avira’s antivirus engine and works just like an installed software with the only difference – it checks only uploaded files, not the whole system.

You can upload up to five files, and their size must be less than 50 MB. You also have to leave your contact details to get the link with results. If you need to check a website, there is an option to submit a suspicious URL.

This tool detects malicious code quite well, which is predictable since it uses an extensive Avira’s virus database. However, it is not as effective when it comes to phishing. Additionally, users often get false positives.

2. VirusTotal Online Scanner

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Just as Avira, this provider offers a free online virus scanner both for uploaded files and suspicious websites. VirusTotal can check all kinds of files under 256 MB, even ZIP and RAR archives. But you can’t scan several files simultaneously, and it can be inconvenient sometimes.

Owners of Android devices can use an app to protect their gadgets and check URLs and files for threats. It is also completely free to use, and won’t hurt to install.

Moreover, VirusTotal offers Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer browser extensions that allow scanning URLs and files before you download them. It is a handy tool that will give you some additional protection online. Of course, it’s not a substitute for an antivirus. But it will work perfectly along with one.

3. MetaDefender Cloud Online Scanner

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This tool has a straightforward and easy to use interface. Just drag and drop the file and click “Analyze.” The results are displayed clearly: if there is a threat, a user will see a red mark; if the file is clean, a green mark appears.

MetaDefender Cloud allows to upload only one file at a time, and its size can’t exceed 140MB. Besides files, MetaDefender Cloud can scan by IP addresses and hash values. Additionally, it can check URLs for threats. So if you are not sure if the website is safe, MetaDefender Cloud will help you here.

It scans the file for viruses against over thirty different virus databases that are also used by such providers as McAfee, Kaspersky, and AVG. Naturally, we would trust the tool that utilizes the same sources as the most reliable antiviruses. That’s why MetaDefender Cloud is well capable of detecting all known threats.
Also, there is an extension for Chrome that will scan the downloaded files. It provides users with some additional protection.

4. FortiGuard Online Virus Scanner

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This is the most strict tool in terms of file sizes – it allows files only under 1MB. It is slightly weird, especially considering that other scanners allow files up to 256MB. This limitation pretty much devalues all the advantages FortiGuard has.

So if your file is small enough to fit this scanner, simply choose it from your repository and check “I’m not a robot” box. Once you’ve submitted the file, you can leave your email address if you want FortiGuard to contact you about your sample.

If you want to check a bigger file, you will have to send it via email. Still, the total size of the samples can’t exceed 32MB. If you want to get a reply in a text format, enter “SCAN” in the subject line. For XML format the subject line should be “SCAN+XML.” Later the system will email you the results.

5. Jotti’s Malware Scan

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With this scanner, you can check up to five files simultaneously. Each of them should be under 100 MB. Jotti’s Malware Scan will check files against databases of different antivirus providers such as Avast, Bitdefender, Eset, and other reliable vendors. The interface displays the status of each antivirus engine.

In addition to the file checkup, Jotti offers a hash search for those who don’t want to upload files. Of course, it will work out only for files that were scanned by this tool earlier. Still, it is a useful feature.

At the same time, Jotti’s Malware Scan has a significant downside – you might need to wait in line if many users are willing to check their files. It makes the tool rather slow. In addition to a quite ugly and not user-friendly interface, the need to wait in line is pretty much annoying.

Best Virus Scanners You’ll Have to Download First

Some popular antivirus providers offer separate scanning tools in addition to antivirus products. They use the same scanning engine as the paid antivirus products, but would not always let you remove malicious samples after the scanning is completed. Moreover, unlike antiviruses, scanners do not offer any real-time protection but you always can install one of the best free antivirus softwares.

Below you will find virus scanners from reliable vendors. Even though you will need to download and install them, they will give you more freedom since you won’t be restricted in terms of file size.

1. Eset Scanner

This simple tool will run alongside your antivirus to keep you even more secure online. It can detect viruses, Trojans, spyware, phishing, and other cyber threats. Also, it will check your computer for viruses automatically once a month. Also you can use Eset Antivirus (about it here).

Eset Scanner doesn’t require any registration – just download the .exe file and run it. The tool supports all versions of Windows down to XP. It requires a maximum 400 MB of disk space and comes in different languages.

2. Norton Security Scan

This well-known provider offers a lightweight and powerful scanner that can detect viruses, malware, spyware, and other threats. Norton even upgraded this tool recently with the Cookie Manager that will check cookies for malicious code. Also you can read details about Norton Antivirus.

Norton Security Scan is easy to install and use. It doesn’t require much CPU and won’t overload the system. The scanner runs quietly on the background so that it won’t interfere with your actions.

This software is almost a full antivirus. Still, it doesn’t provide the user with a needed level of protection. We strongly advise using this Security Scan to get a second opinion on false positives and suspicious files. But it shouldn’t become the only security tool you have on your computer.

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3. F-Secure Scanner

This scanner with a user-friendly interface will become an excellent addition to your primary antivirus software. This tool doesn’t conflict with other security programs installed on your system. It is lightweight, easy to use, and rather reliable. F-Secure can detect all the known malware and other kinds of threats and remove them from your computer.

F-Secure performed very well during lab tests – it detected all the known malware. Therefore, you can be sure that this scanner will find every virus in your system. However, tests show that it doesn’t detect all the ransomware. So we recommend trusting it only when it comes to other types of malware.

Bottom Line

All the scanning tools are reliable enough to check the file for known viruses and malware. They can give you a second opinion on false positives or let you feel safe unpacking an archive or launching an .exe file.

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But no matter how well any of the listed scanners, both online and installed, can detect malware, they don’t ensure complete protection against all the cyber threats. You should use these tools as an addition to the primary antivirus software, not instead of it. Only this way you can be sure your computer is safe and clean from any viruses.