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http://afterlight.110mb.com/2007/07/02/top-5-free-single-file-online-virus-scan-services/
I scoured the Web to find the best single file antivirus scanners and
I have found 5 services worth checking out. In choosing the top 5, I
should have a basis so I created one. I based my criteria on
convenience, file size capability, browser compatibility, update
frequency and service load. Without further ado, here they are! The
top 5 free single file online virus scan services:
1. VirusTotal
2. Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
3. Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
4. Dr. Web AntiVirus
5. Kaspersky File Scanner
Let me give you a brief explanation of the criteria:
* Convenience
Upon arriving to the Web site, the user interface should be
intuitive. Moreover, results should be given on-demand. Transmission
of results through other means such as e-mail shouldn’t be a
requirement.
* File Size Capability
As a rule of thumb, the bigger, the better. However, it is
understandable that some single file scanning services currently do
not support files that are more than 15 MB.
* Browser Compatibility
They should support major modern browsers such as Internet
Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 2, Opera 9, and Safari for
Windows.
* Update Frequency
Definition files should be updated regularly, preferrably
hourly. Scan engines should be updated regularly.
* Service Load
Delays on a per-user basis should be minimized. The time on
queue is important.
Single file online antivirus scanners are especially helpful in
software development and file sharing. To ensure a file’s cleanliness
and integrity, it should be tested against different antivirus
scanners. It will be inconvenient and impractical to install several
antivirus software in your computer to test a file, so what better way
to do it than to visit these free single file online virus scan
services. However, there are limitations to this approach. Since the
services are free, they’re always prone to misuse. That’s why most of
these services impose a limit on the size of a file that can be
scanned. Others send results through e-mail to gain further control.
Whatever the limitations are, we should be thankful that they exist.
VirusTotal
VirusTotal
VirusTotal deserves the top spot at the moment. Aside from its
intuitive UI, it supports 10 MB file sizes as well. Furthermore, it
scans from 30 AV programs.
* I tested the site in: IE7 (minor display problems on results
page), IE6, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3 for Windows
* Uses the Flash player plugin for its stats.
* 10 MB limit
* Scans from 30 antivirus programs including McAfee, Symantec, and
Trend Micro
* Average service load < 50%
* Results are given right away. An option to send a file to be
scanned through e-mail is also available.
Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
The second spot goes to Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service. UI is
similar to VirusTotal. Perhaps the only significant difference it has
with VirusTotal is the service load. When I went there, the load was
quite high. It would have been at the top spot (since it supports
files that are more than 10 MB) if its service load was less than 50%
on average.
* I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3
for Windows
* undetermind file size limit, though it accommodated a 39.8 MB
file.
* Scans from 18 antivirus programs including McAfee and Trend
Micro
* Service load ~70%
Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
The third spot goes to Jotti’s Malware Scan. Now you may have noticed
that the top 3 uses several antivirus programs. The remaining two will
only be using one scanner.
* I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3
for Windows
* 10 MB limit
* Scans from 18 antivirus programs including AVG, F-secure,
Kaspersky, NOD32, and Panda AV
* Service load is often ~95%
Dr. Web Anti-Virus
Dr. Web AntiVirus
The file scan interface was kinda difficult to find in the Web site.
However, the results page was presented very well.
* I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21 (blocked
pop-up results page; unexpected window/tab behavior), Safari 3 for
Windows
* undetermined file size limit, though it accommodated a 15.7 MB
file
* Scans from the Dr. Web AV engine
Kaspersky File Scanner
Kaspersky File Scanner
The Kaspersky File Scanner doesn’t really stand a chance against the
top 3 services. Its 1 MB limit isn’t useful enough. However, Kaspersky
is one of the best AV programs out there, in my opinion.
* I tested the site in IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3
for Windows is unsupported
* 1 MB limit
* Scans from the Kaspersky AV engine
Notable sources:
* Online System Security Scanners from Grand Stream Dreams
* Free Protection for your Computer at Webuser forums
* Free Online Virus Scan at Free Programming Resources
I scoured the Web to find the best single file antivirus scanners and
I have found 5 services worth checking out. In choosing the top 5, I
should have a basis so I created one. I based my criteria on
convenience, file size capability, browser compatibility, update
frequency and service load. Without further ado, here they are! The
top 5 free single file online virus scan services:
1. VirusTotal
2. Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
3. Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
4. Dr. Web AntiVirus
5. Kaspersky File Scanner
Let me give you a brief explanation of the criteria:
* Convenience
Upon arriving to the Web site, the user interface should be
intuitive. Moreover, results should be given on-demand. Transmission
of results through other means such as e-mail shouldn’t be a
requirement.
* File Size Capability
As a rule of thumb, the bigger, the better. However, it is
understandable that some single file scanning services currently do
not support files that are more than 15 MB.
* Browser Compatibility
They should support major modern browsers such as Internet
Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 2, Opera 9, and Safari for
Windows.
* Update Frequency
Definition files should be updated regularly, preferrably
hourly. Scan engines should be updated regularly.
* Service Load
Delays on a per-user basis should be minimized. The time on
queue is important.
Single file online antivirus scanners are especially helpful in
software development and file sharing. To ensure a file’s cleanliness
and integrity, it should be tested against different antivirus
scanners. It will be inconvenient and impractical to install several
antivirus software in your computer to test a file, so what better way
to do it than to visit these free single file online virus scan
services. However, there are limitations to this approach. Since the
services are free, they’re always prone to misuse. That’s why most of
these services impose a limit on the size of a file that can be
scanned. Others send results through e-mail to gain further control.
Whatever the limitations are, we should be thankful that they exist.
VirusTotal
VirusTotal
VirusTotal deserves the top spot at the moment. Aside from its
intuitive UI, it supports 10 MB file sizes as well. Furthermore, it
scans from 30 AV programs.
* I tested the site in: IE7 (minor display problems on results
page), IE6, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3 for Windows
* Uses the Flash player plugin for its stats.
* 10 MB limit
* Scans from 30 antivirus programs including McAfee, Symantec, and
Trend Micro
* Average service load < 50%
* Results are given right away. An option to send a file to be
scanned through e-mail is also available.
Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service
The second spot goes to Virus.org Rogue File Scanning Service. UI is
similar to VirusTotal. Perhaps the only significant difference it has
with VirusTotal is the service load. When I went there, the load was
quite high. It would have been at the top spot (since it supports
files that are more than 10 MB) if its service load was less than 50%
on average.
* I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3
for Windows
* undetermind file size limit, though it accommodated a 39.8 MB
file.
* Scans from 18 antivirus programs including McAfee and Trend
Micro
* Service load ~70%
Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
Jotti’s Malware Scan 2.99
The third spot goes to Jotti’s Malware Scan. Now you may have noticed
that the top 3 uses several antivirus programs. The remaining two will
only be using one scanner.
* I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3
for Windows
* 10 MB limit
* Scans from 18 antivirus programs including AVG, F-secure,
Kaspersky, NOD32, and Panda AV
* Service load is often ~95%
Dr. Web Anti-Virus
Dr. Web AntiVirus
The file scan interface was kinda difficult to find in the Web site.
However, the results page was presented very well.
* I tested the site in: IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21 (blocked
pop-up results page; unexpected window/tab behavior), Safari 3 for
Windows
* undetermined file size limit, though it accommodated a 15.7 MB
file
* Scans from the Dr. Web AV engine
Kaspersky File Scanner
Kaspersky File Scanner
The Kaspersky File Scanner doesn’t really stand a chance against the
top 3 services. Its 1 MB limit isn’t useful enough. However, Kaspersky
is one of the best AV programs out there, in my opinion.
* I tested the site in IE6, IE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9.21, Safari 3
for Windows is unsupported
* 1 MB limit
* Scans from the Kaspersky AV engine
Notable sources:
* Online System Security Scanners from Grand Stream Dreams
* Free Protection for your Computer at Webuser forums
* Free Online Virus Scan at Free Programming Resources