Antivirus Scanners & Internet Security Tools

Full Antivirus Programs


Avira Antivir (downloadable free software)
Avira is one of the best Antivirus vendors on the market. ((AV-comparative 2008)

Avast! (Alwil) (downloadable free software)
Free Home Edition antimalware progam.

AVG Antivirus (downloadable free software)
Free home Edition single computer use-non commercial use

Not free, but highly recommended ( free 30 day trials)

Eset NOD32 4.0
Avira Premium/Pro
Kaspersky
Norton 2009

*Best Antivirus Products (Certification by AV-Comparatives/Virus Bulletin VB100)

Free Windows Diagnostic Tool

SysInspector
ESET SysInspector is a free, state of the art diagnostic tool for Windows systems.
It peers into your operating system and captures details such as running processes, registry content, startup items and network connections. Once a snapshot of the system is made, ESET SysInspector applies heuristics to assign a risk level for each object logged. Its intuitive graphical user interface enables the user to easily slice through the large volume of data using a slider to select objects of a particular color coded risk level for closer examination. ESET SysInspector is a convenient utility for the tool box of every IT expert and first responder.


Free Online Scanners/Cleaners

ESET NOD32 Online Scanner
The ESET Online Scanner is the Web's best free virus scan. A user-friendly, powerful tool, online antivirus utility can remove malware—viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans, and more—from any PC utilizing only a web browser. No installation required. The scanner uses the same ThreatSense® technology and signatures as ESET NOD32 Antivirus, which means it is always up-to-date.

Trend Micro
Go here to double check your current AV protection app.


Panda ActiveScanYou don't need to install any programs.
It scans, disinfects and eliminates viruses from all parts of your system, hard disks, compressed files and all your e-mail.
It incorporates a powerful heuristic system.
It is updated at least once a day.

Malwarebytes
This is a On demand Scanner only (real time detection mode disabled in free version)
This is a specialized tool specifically targeted at polymorphic Malware, and as such is not very effective against other malware threats. It is also meant to be run in conjuction with installed Antivirus- not as a standalone app.

Symantec/Norton scan
Free scan from the makers of Norton products. Very reliable, and up to date.

Kaspersky Virus Scanner
This scan installs ActiveX component and can take a good amount of time to download, update and run. Results should be presented to trained analysts to decipher.

BitDefender
BitDefender Online Scanner is an on-demand virus scanner which incorporates the award-winning BitDefender scanning engines. You can use it to scan your system's memory, all files and drives' boot sectors, and to automatically clean infected files.

F-Secure
Free online scan.

McAfee
Free online anti-virus scan.

Microsoft Live One Care
Online Scanner-Keep hackers and unwanted software at bay and learn about some quick ways to keep your PC secure. Stats also.

a-Squared
Test your system with the a-squared scanner for Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers, Spyware/Adware, Keyloggers, Rootkits, Hacking Tools, Riskware and TrackingCookies. Completely free directly from the web browser.

Nanoscan
By Panda this scanner does a quick scan of the system, not too deep tho. Infection map and stats.


Single File Malware Scanners

Jotti Online File Scanner
This site offers a free scan of single files. Its a great little site we use alot in malware situations.
By uploading files to this online service you agree that your files will be stored locally for personal virus collection interests.

Virus Total
Single file scanner

avast! Online Scanner
Single file scanner

Kaspersky File Checker
Single file scanner.

Pest Patrol
Free malware scan here along with privacy and optimization.

Spyware-Guide Online ActiveX Scan
Scans your computer for known malware AcitveX installs. Data base limited.

Norman Sandbox
Another excellent online file scanner, always current and accurate.

Online Virus Scanner
If you discover a suspicious file on your machine, or suspect that a program you downloaded from the internet might be malicious you can scan it here. Enter the file name to be checked in the box below and it will automatically be uploaded from your computer to a dedicated server where it will be scanned using FortiClient Anti-Virus. Updates every three hours are performed to ensure that even the newest viruses can be detected. Only one file of up to 1 MB can be checked at any one time.


Single File Analysis

Sunbelt CWSandbox
Submit files for detailed analysis to monitor Windows changes

ANUBIS File Analysis
Anubis is a service for analyzing malware. Submit your Windows executable and receive an analysis report telling you what it does.

Sophos File Analysis
Submission form for analysis.


Browser Scans

ShieldsUp!
Multiple levels of security available here, several tests, port scans, and lots of others, too many to list, check it out!

Scanit Browser Security Test
Scan it's Browser Security Test automatically checks your browser for various security problems. When the test is finished you get a complete report explaining the discovered vulnerabilities, their impact and how to eliminate them.

AuditMyPC
Security and spyware site, checks for all sorts of vulnerabilities. Two separate tests here, very helpful.

Browser Spy
BrowserSpy can tell you all kinds of detailed information about you and your browser. Stuff like the version of your browser. What kind of things it supports and what it doesn't support. Furthermore it can provide you detailed information about JavaScript, Java, Plug-ins, Components, Bandwidth, Language, Screen, Hardware, IP, Cookies, Web Server, and much more.

PC Pitstop
Automated tests will get your PC running fast, stable and secure for free. The diagnostic tests are safe, passive evaluations of your system, and the advice will help you locate and fix system problems. Whether you are a guru or a novice, our tests can quickly determine your PC's operating status. Excellent site!

Dr. Web Browser File\Site Scanner Plugin
For users surfing the World Wide Web with Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox, MS Internet Explorer or Opera Doctor Web offers free plugins which enable you to scan for viruses and all kinds of malicious programs any web link before it is opened, or any file before it is downloaded onto your computer. When a page is scanned, the URLs it contains pointing at scripts and frames are checked as well.


Software and System Security Scans

Secunia Software Inspector
This scan will determine if you have any software that needs updating.


GFI Event Log Scanner

Cheers Rive0108,

Steven

Thanks for the links!

Nice links to free security stuff, though I notice haute secure is not mentioned. Maybe its a bit paranoid and interferes with a lot of sights but if your kids are picking up drive-by malware , it might be worth it and it's currently free.

Hi Jeffreyx,

UAC prevents all forms of drive-by-downloads

Steven

Hi dmex,
Then why does vista come with windows defender?????? seems funny?

Hi JefferyX,

UAC prevents drive-by-downloads because anything asking to be installed needs your permsission first but it doesn't stop you from downloading and installing spyware or virus`s yourself

Windows Defender is there to pickup anything "You do" install after you allow it access to your machine but nothing can automatically gain administrator rights, install itself or infect your entire machine without getting your permission first via a UAC prompt

If you dont allow the program access it never gets installed and cant infect your machine, this is why UAC was designed

If your Kids have a Standard User account they must have your password to install or change anything and this prevents them from installing something without your (and UACs) permission

Hi Dmex,
Thanks for the clarification. I probably should change passwords on a more regular basis anyway.I'm glad I didn't give up on UAC and disable it like some have. KIds will just have to live with it!
Happy computing

Bitdefender is an awesome program!! It is affordable and has great features like laptop mode and game mode. Has several scanning options (Deep system scan, full system scan and quick scan.) With the ability to purchase licenses for several computers and years at a time, it is one of the most reasonable programs out there on the market. I highly recommend it for all and it is proven to work on Vista x64 (I have it on 2 computers with x64).

It has won the following awards:

Bitdefender failed recent Vista SP1 testing, and XP testing when Softwin submitted their product to Virus Bulletin (VB100) this year.
The above appear to be mostly Editor's Choice awards, and none are "Won". Comparative testing sites award based on performance only. I'd take Editors Choice awards with a grain of salt If I were you as most are not unbiased, and some are paid by the vendor to give favorable reviews. Real world virus testing by reputable comparatives are much more valuable to an informed consumer. A-V Comparatives awarded 1 star (standard) Certification November 2008, and Virus Bulletin Awarded the VB100 in 2008 only for Linux and Windows Server 2003 platforms.

BitDefender (SOFTWIN) Vendor Test History:
https://www.virusbtn.com/Session-751...ts?vendor=VE11

A-V Comparative (November 2008):
Certification level reached-Standard (Awarded 1 of 3 stars due to 27 False Positives)
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse/report20.pdf

(VB100)Virus Bulletin Vista test results by Vendor:
Vista SP1 Antivirus Performance

BitDefender (SOFTWIN) VB100
XP (August, 2008)
Status: FAIL
Failure reason: 4 false positives

Vista SP1 (April, 2008)
Status: FAIL
Failure reason: 2 wildlist misses

Ubuntu Linux (June, 2008)
Status: PASS

Windows Server 2003 (February, 2008)
Status: PASS

Conclusion: Bitdefender is a subpar antivirus program that generates an unacceptable amount of false postives, and fails to detect malware currently in the wild and infecting systems.