Not all users install an antivirus on their computer or laptop. Some people are lazy, others don’t see the need for it. And when suddenly your PC starts behaving strangely (it’s buggy and slow, or advertising appears in the browser), you can simply check your computer for viruses online and for free. Fortunately, there are plenty of options today.

Below are 7 best antiviruses that can scan for viruses online. True, you won’t be able to check your computer without downloading the installer. Virus scanning is done online, but antiviruses need access to your files. Therefore, some of them are installed as a browser module, and some are installed as a small utility. There are also 2 antiviruses on the list that support online virus scanning without downloading. Which one to use is up to you to decide.

Kaspersky will help you quickly check your computer for viruses online. A full-fledged antivirus is well known in Russia, and its “younger brother” is also popular.

The program runs in the cloud, so you can quickly check Kaspersky for viruses online on any PC or laptop.

Its main advantages:

• does not slow down Windows (which cannot be said about full-fledged antivirus Kaspersky, which “eats” a lot of resources during the scan);
• does not conflict with other antiviruses installed on the computer;
• does not remove detected viruses, but only reports them (on the one hand, this is a plus, but on the other, you will have to remove them manually);
• issues a detailed report.

Checking for viruses online in Kaspersky is very simple:

1. Download the installer file from this link.
2. Launch the program.
3. Wait until the scan is completed.

After this, all you have to do is remove the viruses (if any were found).

BitDefender QuickScan - fast online PC virus scan

Another way to clean your computer from viruses online is by using BitDefender QuickScan. It is considered very effective and enjoys great success abroad. About the same as our Kaspersky.

Cleaning your computer from viruses online is also easy. All you need is:

1. Follow this link.
2. Click on “Scan Now”.
3. Install a browser module through which the antivirus will gain access to your folders and files.
4. Wait until the check is completed.

The main advantage of BitDefender is fast virus scanning in online mode. On average it takes 1-2 minutes. On the one hand, this is cool, but on the other, what will he be able to scan in such a short time?

Most likely, the online scanner checks the main list of the most common threats: system files, autoloading – i.e. those places where viruses mainly “live”. The developers themselves say that checking your computer for viruses online is carried out in the cloud (on their servers), which is why it is done so quickly.

ESET Online Scanner – effectively scan your computer for viruses

The next way to check your laptop for viruses online is using a free ESET product from the developers of NOD32. To start checking, follow this link.

It is recommended to scan your PC using Internet Explorer– in this case, the check will be performed in a browser window. At using Chrome, Firefox or Opera, the user will have to download a small file, and the PC analysis will be performed in a separate program.

After downloading and running the file, you need to set the settings. For example, enable archive scanning and potentially dangerous programs. You can also clear the checkbox in the “Remove threats” item so that the antivirus does not accidentally erase important files that, in its opinion, are infected. Then click the "Start" button.

ESET Online Scanner will update the databases and then begin online check PC for viruses.

• a thorough system scan (takes 40 minutes on average - depends on your Internet speed and HDD capacity);
• detects any threats;
• can detect malware, incl. in the register;
• performs heuristic analysis;
• generates a complete report on the work performed.

Another plus is that the online scanner is automatically deleted after the scan is completed. That is, no files will remain after it.

Thus, ESET antivirus- perhaps from the best ways clean your computer from viruses online. Its only drawback is the need for installation.

Panda Cloud Cleaner - online scanning of flash drives for viruses

Users are offered 4 versions to choose from:

• standard;
• portable (does not require installation);
• for scanning USB flash drive;
• in ISO format (emergency boot disk to check for viruses on a PC that won’t turn on).

Which version to choose, decide for yourself. For example, if you want to check a flash drive for viruses online, then download the third installer on the developers’ website.

Main advantages:

• quick check (on average 20-30 minutes);
• detection of common threats;
• effective online virus cleaning.

As in the previous case, Panda also “self-destructs” after successfully checking and treating viruses. That is, it is automatically deleted and does not leave any files behind.

F-Secure Online Scanner – treatment of viruses and spyware

Another excellent antivirus that can scan your computer for viruses online. To start checking, go to the developers’ website and click on the “Launch” button. After downloading and launching the installer, a new window will open in which scanning of the laptop or PC will begin.

The main advantages of this antivirus:

• quick scanning – takes 10-15 minutes on average;
• effective treatment of viruses and spyware utilities;
• works even with antivirus installed on your PC.

Before starting the scan, it is advisable to turn off “heavy” programs. This will help speed up the scanning process.

VirusTotal – online virus scan without downloading

All previous options had one common disadvantage - the need to download the installer. In this case, you can scan your computer for viruses online without installing any programs.

VirusTotal is a service from Google that can scan any files on your PC. It can also scan sites for malicious utilities. Using the service is very simple:

1. Follow this link.
2. Provide the path to the file you want to crawl or the URL of any website.
3. Click the "Check" button.

Wait until the check is completed, and then look at the report.

It is not possible to scan all documents on your computer using VirusTotal. It can scan sites and files individually. This option is suitable for those who, for example, have downloaded a program and want to make sure that it does not contain viruses before installing it. For such cases, VirusTotal is best suited, because it does not need to be downloaded.

Dr.Web - effective scanning of files for viruses

And the last way to check your computer for viruses online is through Doctor Web. It has an excellent service that allows you to check individual files. For this:

1. Visit this site.
2. Click Browse and browse to the file you want to scan.
3. Click the “Check!” button.

In this case, you can scan your computer for viruses online without installing Dr. antivirus. Web. But, like VirusTotal, Doctor Web can scan only one file at a time.

A few words in conclusion

This sounds strange, but it is impossible to completely scan a laptop or computer and remove viruses online. The first 5 antiviruses require the installation of a small file. The question arises: isn’t it easier to install full version the same Kaspersky or BitDefender? They have more features, plus they provide real-time PC protection. In addition, many popular antiviruses have free versions.

The last 2 options are VirusTotal and Dr. Web – do not require installation, but check one file at a time. This is also not entirely convenient.

By the way, a computer or laptop may be infected not with viruses, but with malware. As a result, advertisements appear in the browser, third-party pages of unknown sites open, etc. In this case, antiviruses will not help; special software is required.

Actually, that's all. Above we discussed 7 ways to check your computer or laptop for viruses online for free. Which antivirus to use is up to you. If you want to completely scan your computer for viruses, then choose one of the first 5 programs. And if you need to scan several files, then use the VirusTotal or Dr. services. Web.

Antivirus scanners these are free healing utilities that are designed for antivirus scanning hard drives And removable media, while not providing real-time protection. Many of them do not require installation and are ready to use immediately. They are not recommended for use as a primary means of protection, they can only be used as a means additional protection or to check the standard (already installed) antivirus.

Dr.Web CureIt

No installation required, ready to use immediately. It can work even when viruses block programs, thanks to the enhanced protection mode. The scanning module and virus databases are not updated.

Dr.Web Light

This is a free antivirus Doctor Web for the operating room Mac systems OS. Due to its free nature, the program does not provide real-time protection. Description of Dr.Web Light for Mac OS

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

The application is installed to a folder on the desktop. Can scan hard disks, RAM, boot sectors disks. Viruses and malware are removed both manually and automatically.

Kaspersky Security Scan

A free utility from Kaspersky Lab that will check how well computer protected, will determine the presence of an installed antivirus, firewall, vulnerabilities in operating system and installed programs.

Avira PC Cleaner

Avira PC Cleaner can work in conjunction with installed antivirus to identify missed viruses and other threats. Virus databases are automatically updated before each scan.

Norton Power Eraser

Designed to remove deep-rooted viruses and malware. Due to the high probability of false positives ( erroneous deletion secure file), you must use this scanner with caution.

Modern antiviruses, both paid and free, are quite reliable programs, but nothing is perfect, and even the best and reliable antivirus may allow malware to enter the computer.

If this happens, and strange things are observed in Windows work, and also for the purpose of carrying out periodic preventive measures, for example once every 1-3 months, it is recommended to check the computer for viruses in the system with third-party anti-virus scanners. Anti-virus scanners do not work in real time and scan only at the user’s request, while they can perform their functions simultaneously with the antivirus turned on. As a rule, antivirus scanners are free programs.

Let's look at the best antivirus scanners

Antivirus scanner from a reputable Russian manufacturer Dr.Web antivirus. Good scanner, but due to the inability to update anti-virus databases, you will have to download the program from the developer’s website every time.

Probably the best antivirus scanner. It is a cloud solution, includes several antivirus engines, and is capable of quick check systems, checking the most vulnerable Windows places. The downside of the product is that HitmanPro is paid.

An excellent free cloud antivirus scanner that runs on several antivirus engines.

Portable antivirus scanner using the Bitdefender engine. Capable of scanning an infected computer without an Internet connection and working from a flash drive. Anti-virus databases are updated at the user's request. The scanner itself is launched using the “a2emergencykit.exe” file located in the “Run” folder.

An anti-virus scanner that was originally designed to search for spyware and potentially unwanted programs.

An online service owned by Google that simultaneously analyzes suspicious files using a large number (more than 50) antivirus engines.

- official free application to upload any suspicious files to the site VirusTotal in order to check for threats and obtain results in real time. You can send files directly via context menu conductor, which is very convenient.

If you are interested in a good free antivirus for Android, click .

There is a type of antivirus designed for one-time virus scanning. They can save your computer in a critical situation.

0.1. Why do we need one-time antiviruses?

If the antivirus installed on your computer does not detect anything suspicious, but the symptoms are obvious (freezes, strange running processes, autorun.inf appearing on flash drives, etc.), “ one-time antivirus" is necessary. It’s easy to use – just download from the link and run it. In this case, during the scan, it is advisable to disable the antivirus that is installed on a permanent basis.

0.2. Advantages

1. Free. For home use Almost all one-time antiviruses are free.

2. Simplicity. Downloaded from the link and launched it. All important buttons in such programs are clearly visible.

0.3. Disadvantages of one-time antiviruses

1. They are not able to protect your computer all the time (there is no module for constant protection) and there is no update of anti-virus databases.

2. You have to download it again every time so that such an antivirus detects new viruses.

0.4. Dr.Web CureIt!

Dr.Web CureIt!– a good one-time antivirus. Knows how to fight running viruses (does not allow itself to be killed during scanning).

An ideal option for beginners - the clear descriptions and tips that this program provides will help.

0.5. HerdProtect

An online antivirus that scans all computer files using 68 antivirus databases. I explained how to use it in a separate article.

This a good option, if unlimited Internet is connected.

Minus: does not know how to treat infected files.

Plus: You don’t need to download it again to check, the databases are always fresh.

0.6. Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

0.7. ESET Online Scanner