The rise in cybercriminal activity means that systems are vulnerable without the right virus scanners, and although multiple scanners are available, free online virus scanners, in particular, can play a really important role in keeping a user’s computer system free from damage and offer many perks.
But which specific perks do such scanners provide? In our article today, the Tech Masters team, experts in IT support services, will explore all the advantages of a free online virus scanner to answer this question and ensure you are fully informed when selecting one.
Understanding What Free Online Virus Scanners Are
When understanding what free online virus scanners are, it’s worth considering what they do. These are types of online software that are created to protect your device from malware, and they can complete this protection using specific processes.
For example, online virus scanners detect and clean a range of malicious threats, removing them from your system using pattern matching or signatures, looking in particular at strings of bytes in files that may match a byte contained in a database of known viruses. With some, you can upload a file to test it remotely on the provider’s server; with others, virus definitions are retrieved online.
These scanners differ from traditional virus scanners, operating as a web-based tool that you will not need to install. They provide scans of files and downloads quickly and on-demand, functioning through the web browser, and will not require regular updates – which offers convenience to users.
5 Benefits of Free Online Virus Scanners
Yet, while the detection and removal of viruses, virus protection, and malware protection are clear benefits of free online virus scanners, they also come with plenty of other advantages. In fact, there are five benefits of free online virus scanners that we will explore just below.
Instant Malware Detection
Detection of viruses is ideal, but with timely detection comes better results for the protection of operating systems. Users can look forward to the instant malware detection a free online virus scanner provides – and they do this with specific methods.
For instance, the scanner can use heuristic analysis, which involves first checking the files your computer has and then the code that may be a threat. As soon as the scanner identifies a threat, it will flag it. This is particularly ideal for spotting newer viruses or existing threats that might have been modified. It can detect the following types of malware:
- Ransomware: Online virus scanners can detect ransomware with heuristic analysis. This type of malware is malicious software that can encrypt files or lock devices unless you pay the cybercriminals to restore and gain access.
- Trojans: This scanner can detect Trojans, which are types of malware that can steal data for cybercriminals. The scanner detects and blocks them by looking for suspicious behaviour patterns and monitoring system behaviour.
- Rootkits: This scanner can search for hidden files and abnormal system behaviour to find rootkits, which are malware types that might even be able to avoid detection by traditional security solutions and give cybercriminals access to your system.
Cost Savings
In using a free online virus scanner, you can make significant cost savings. They will not come with additional charges when you use them and will not require expensive software or a subscription to use. Individuals and businesses can, therefore, use the scanner without having to pay high amounts or manage a subscription.
Beyond this, though, a free online virus scanner can help you save money in other ways. For example, by detecting ransomware early, the scanner eliminates the need for you pay a cybercriminal if your system falls victim to an attack.
Compared with traditional antivirus software, expenses for free online virus scanners are favourable. Traditional antiviruses use a subscription-based model, demanding a monthly or annual recurring fee, which might be between $20.00 and $60.00. Free online virus scanners perform free online scans for viruses.
Intuitive and Easy to Use
Being intuitive and easy to use, online virus scanners are convenient, particularly since you will not need to install them as an extra step to use them. Additionally, these types of software have user-friendly interfaces that really make a difference when using the tools online.
For example, to use these tools, you’ll just need to select the scan now button after visiting the provider’s website, which will download a file and allow you to click on a shortcut to run the scan, meaning no additional software installation is required.
In terms of the user interface, many of these tools will have windows with instructions that make them easy to use. For instance, the ESET online virus scanner has a window with a message that tells you when a quick scan is in progress, the number of detected objects, and the number of currently scanned files.
Automatic Updates and Real-Time Scanning
What these tools also offer are real-time scanning and automatic updates, and these are important for staying protected, helping to block and restrict threats the moment they try to infiltrate the system. This scanning works with some options as the scanner runs and scans downloaded files the moment they are generated, updated, or selected/opened.
In terms of automatic updates, scanners with this feature can remain up-to-date and implement the most current security techniques with the most recent tools. These may include updated virus definitions and patches for security, keeping your system prepared for any evolving viruses or threats.
Compatible with Other Security Measures
An online virus scanner is also compatible with other security software, working with traditional antivirus software and adding a greater layer of protection. This can be done by running online scans alongside the regular antivirus scans completed with the traditional software.
Alongside this compatibility, the versatility of an online virus scanner enhances security; in their ability to run entire system scans, or just scan specific files, and complete browser-based system threats, they provide a range of protective measures that augment traditional antivirus software greatly.
How You Can Use Free Online Virus Scanners Safely
Selecting reputable scanning sites, with a website address that is reliable and trusted, and using them safely is important for upholding the security of your systems, and a few tips can help you do this. Our recommendations for using free online virus scanners safely include:
- Steering clear of suspicious links: Do not click suspicious links that may come with unreputable online virus scanner providers, as these may put your system at risk of a malware or phishing attack.
- Avoiding providing personal information: Take caution when providing personal or sensitive information, as this can minimize the chances of identity theft. It can also ensure cybercriminals don’t gain unauthorized access to your data.
- Keeping all security settings updated: Be proactive when keeping security settings updated, which can give your system an additional layer of protection even if a cybercriminal attempts to target it.
It’s by also interpreting the scan results and taking the right action that you can keep your system protected. Doing this just requires you to check if threats have been detected. It may state that ‘No threats are found,’ which indicates a healthy system.
If threats are found, the results may state which type of malware or virus is on the system. In that case, you can quarantine malicious files, delete malicious software, and complete a full system scan for greater insights.
Free Online Virus Scanners: Final Thoughts from Tech Masters
Individuals and businesses cannot afford to leave the security of computer systems to chance, and with free online virus scanners, you can greatly enhance your layers of cybersecurity. The perks they offer, including instant malware detection, removing malware and cost savings, compatibility with other security measures and more, provide convenience and ease of use.
Ensure you explore and use free online virus scanners to protect your system. For more information on these free online virus scanners, visit or contact Tech Masters.