Online scanners: which do you recommend?

I tried to compile a list of reputable online scanners. Which of these would you recommend? Feel free to suggest other ones I may have missed.


BitDefender Online Scanner (for viruses)
- scans archives? YES
- disinfects? YES
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

F-Secure Online Virus Scanner (for viruses)
- scans archives? NO
- disinfects? YES
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

McAfee FreeScan (for viruses)
- scans archives? UNKNOWN
- disinfects? NO
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp

Symantec Security Check (for viruses)
- scans archives? NO
- disinfects? UNKNOWN
http://security.symantec.com/

Kaspersky Online Scanner (for viruses and spyware)
- scans archives? UNKNOWN
- disinfects? NO
http://usa.kaspersky.com/services/free-virus-scanner.php

Trend Micro Housecall (for viruses and spyware)
- scans archives? UNKNOWN
- disinfects? YES
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner (for viruses, trojans, and worms)
- scans archives? UNKNOWN
- disinfects? YES
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

Panda ActiveScan (for viruses, worms, trojans, spyware and other malware)
- scans archives? YES
- disinfects? ONLY viruses, worms, and trojans; NOT spyware or other malware
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm

ewido anti-spyware online scanner (for spyware/malware)
- scans archives? UNKNOWN
- disinfects? YES
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/

a-squared Web Malware Scanner (for spyware, trojans, worms, etc)
- scans archives? UNKNOWN
- disinfects? YES
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/ax/

 

WOW. Thanks for that list, I can use it in the future.
Sorry, but no recommendations from me, because I never used them, except Ewido.

 

ive only used the ewido and a-squared scanners, and i dont feel much need to run online scanners since i already have KAV running.

 

You seem to have covered all of the online scanner programs that I have come across. I could not add the others because the signature area has a maximum byte count limitaton.

 

Is it true that some of the online scanners will not scan inside of ZIP files or other archives? I thought I saw a post that said that.

I'll also try to update the list to say which ones will remove malware and which ones will only do scans (assuming that the web sites bother to mention that).

 

I looked around on the scanner sites and did a little searching on the internet to try to find out if the scanners can scan within archives and if they can also remove anything that they find. I updated the list (although some things are still unknown to me); it should be accurate, but I can't make any guarantees.

 

I'd like to add Rising Antivirus and VirusChaser, which is based on Dr.Web Antivirus.
Both have great Heuristics, and often finds malware wich other Anti-Malware software misses in my experience. Dial-up users, be aware of Rising Antivirus' updates, as they are HUGE and takes ages to download, as the update server is chinese.

Rising Antivirus
- scans compressed files, memory, unknown viruses, e-mail files, bootsector.
- disinfects and deletes malware.
http://online.rising.com.cn/order/KillVirus_EN_Rav.asp

Viruschaser
- scans for adware/spyware, hacking tools, riskware.
- scans archives and memory.
- does not disinfect or delete.
http://www.viruschaser.com/enwi/4_01.jsp

 

sometime i feel online scan is a waste of time, downloading activeX controller, plus database files taken almost the same amount of time as downloading a trial version or slimdown free version. Some of this online scanner do detect but no cleaning or ask you to buy product 1st, what for? you have to do the whole process again, go and but, install and update database, scan and kill. When now most of the trial product have full function for 15 or 30 days, do scan, detect & kill. If you found the trial/free is good/do the task you commanded, then just pay the vendor, get the serial & key in, done. my 2 ¢.

 

CureIt Utility by Dr.Web Antivirus, detects and cleans, it's free, and can be downloaded from www.freedrweb.com

 

The a-squared Web Malware Scanner scans in archives as well. Please update the list. Thanks!

 

For on demand antispyware scan only I would use either:

1. AVG (forerly ewido) or
2. Superantispyware or possibly
3. Adaware

Strong preference for numbers 1 or 2.

 

You may want to consider adding Microsoft's OneCare to the list although you have to have the Live Toolbar in order to get the free scans. But the scans seem pretty thorough and besides AV and AS detection the scan also includes reg cleaning, disk cleanup, defrag, and open ports scan. Just be prepared that the av/as scan is fairly lengthy.

 

Just one remark: i think Kaspersky online scanner does scan arquives.

 

That list should be sticky-d. Well Done.
I use TrendMicro Housecall from time to time, runs activex or java, pretty sure it scans within archives. Soft sell, optional survey.

 

I agree. This should be stuck at the top with other important threads. It needs to be easy to find in case someone needs to run one of these scans.