Can I scan a file for a virus without an antivirus software?

Question

If I have a file and I'm not sure whether it has a virus or not, is there any way I scan it before I open it?

I don't want to install an antivirus because they are a pain in the butt and the good ones cost money.

I know windows defender can scan, but that's useless. Is there any other online scanner or temporary scanner app that can be easily deleted?

Answer 1

There are free online malware scanning services.



Be wary about them. They might be malware themselves.

Answer 2

Clam antivirus can be placed on a USB and plugged in to do a scan whenever you want it

Answer 3

I have used the ESET online scanner. Take a look at:



https://www.eset.com/us/home/online-scanner



I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Yes, there are plenty of online virus scanners available, here's one:



http://virusscan.jotti.org/en



Just upload the file to this website and it will scan it with multiple virus scanners and return a result to you from each scanner.



BTW, Windows Defender is not the best AV out there, but it's not terrible either. And for your information, if you're running Windows 10, Defender is already running on your system. You cannot turn it off or uninstall it, and it's already installed the moment you installed Windows 10. So if you think you're saving any resources by not installing an AV, you're not because you are running an AV no matter what. Defender only goes to sleep if you install a 3rd party AV, but as soon as you uninstall that AV, Defender wakes up and takes over again.



As for good free AV software, I would recommend either Avira or AVG. Both are free, but they may present you with some nag screens from time to time. How much you spend on an antivirus software has little to do with how good it is as a scanner.

Answer 5

Yes you can.

There are online scanners that you go to. In the search box you point it to the file/document you want to be analyzed in your computer and it will scan it using almost every antivirus anti-malware company in the world.

The best one is VirusTotal that uses over 60 scanners. It's the most well known. Then there's Jotti, VirSCAN and MeteScan online.

MetaScan is from the world's most advanced and most powerful antivirus anti-malware company that exists. They protect company systems using up to 32 antivirus anti-malware companies. Very expensive though.



VirusTotal will only scan files up to a certain size, not sure how large.

https://www.virustotal.com/#/home/upload



For whole computer systems you can use HerdProtect. It uses 68 scanners and it will destroy any malware in your computer absolutely free, no scams, no ads.

These two are the Gold standards in scanners. HerdProtect was designed by a leading security Tech at Microsoft years ago who made oodles of cash so he decided to give something back to the world for free.

http://www.herdprotect.com



One last thing.

VirusTotal has two other options. You can download a small file and install it into your computer at which point it will add itself to your right click menu. From then on you can right click any file in your computer and instantly submit it to virustotal.

Secondly you can install the VirusTotal addon into your web browser and from that point you can scan web sites and files before downloading anything. All for free no scams/ads.



One last thing again. Microsoft makes a Task Manager called Process Explorer which has two varieties, one is portable and the other is installable. Portable means you don't have to install it and to get rid of it you simply delete it like any other file. Or you can install it and use it as your primary task manager or not, you choose the option.

On the far right side of this task manager you will see every running process in your computer being analyzed constantly by VirusTotal. By checking this task manager you can see if there is any malware running in your computer at a glance using 60+ companies and you don't need an Antivirus to be installed. It will not destroy any malware like HerdProtect but at least you will know if your computer is clean.

Answer 6

There are multiple free AV's that work just as well as the paid ones. None of them are "a pain in the butt".



As for Defender, it's far from worthless. I admin a couple hundred computers in an office environment strictly using only Defender. Works great.



To answer your question, no, you need to install an Antivirus. I recommend Malwarebytes. Use the free version.

Answer 7

You want a Good one.

McAfee twice let me down, Once years ago, and recently with my new machine.

I now Use Kaspersky.

There ARE scanners, like "FixMeStick" that you do not install.



But those scanners mean you already have the virus.

Kaspersky, scans are the download is occurring and in some cases intercept the web site before the virus/malware has a chance to get on your machine.



McAfee had allowed a virus/malware to enter my machine (quarantined), and then during the update of McAfee let it loose. It cost me $200,00 and three weeks to get it set, almost, right by a Third Party TECH (staples).