How to Quickly Check a Download for Viruses and Malware? Often we download files from the internet that may seem suspicious. While most users have antivirus or anti-malware software installed, it’s important to understand that modern malware evolves rapidly — sometimes faster than your antivirus software can update its virus definitions. This delay in protection can leave you vulnerable to infection.
Fortunately, there are free and reliable tools you can use to check a download for viruses before opening it. These online virus scanners allow you to upload files and scan them against dozens of antivirus engines — greatly increasing the chance of catching new or uncommon malware that your desktop antivirus might miss.
Why Use Online Virus Scanners?
- Multi-engine scanning: Services like VirusTotal and Jotti scan your file against 50+ antivirus engines at once.
- Independent verification: Even if your local AV says it's clean, an online scanner might detect something it missed.
- No installation required: These tools work directly in your browser.
Recommended Online Virus and Malware Scanners
1. Check a Download with VirusTotal – Free Online Virus Scanner
How to use VirusTotal
- Visit the VirusTotal website.
- Click the “Choose file” button and upload the file you want to scan.
- Virus Total will analyze it using dozens of antivirus engines and display any detected results.
2. Check a File with Jotti’s Malware Scan – Free Online Scanner
How to use Jotti
- Visit the Jotti malware scanner site.
- Click “Choose file” and select your downloaded file.
- Jotti will scan it with multiple antivirus products and display the scan results.
Bonus: Use Hash Values to Cross-Check Integrity
Many software developers provide a SHA-256 or MD5 hash on their website. After downloading a file, you can generate a hash of your download and compare it to the official one:
- On Windows: Use
CertUtil -hashfile filename.exe SHA256in Command Prompt. - On macOS/Linux: Use
shasum -a 256 filenamein Terminal.
If the hashes don’t match, the file may be tampered with or corrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VirusTotal safe to use?
Yes, VirusTotal is a reputable online service owned by Google that lets you scan files or URLs with multiple antivirus engines. It does not execute the file — it only scans it.
Does uploading a file to VirusTotal make it public?
Yes. Any file you upload to VirusTotal may become accessible to researchers and the public. Avoid uploading personal or sensitive documents.
Can online scanners detect all malware?
No scanner is perfect. Online scanners like VirusTotal or Jotti increase your chances by using multiple engines, but they may still miss zero-day threats or false positives.
What's the file size limit for VirusTotal?
VirusTotal supports files up to 650 MB when uploaded via the website. For larger files, you need to use their API (with limits).
Should I still use antivirus software on my PC?
Yes. Online scanners are a great supplement, but you should still run real-time antivirus software locally to protect against threats in real time.
Final Thoughts
Checking downloads for viruses before opening them is a critical safety habit — especially when the source seems unfamiliar. Even trusted websites can occasionally be compromised. Using tools like VirusTotal or Jotti online virus scanners can give you extra peace of mind and help avoid infections from zero-day malware or lesser-known threats.
Still Not Sure About a File?
If a scan result is unclear or inconsistent, it's best to avoid running the file. You can also upload suspicious files to a virtual machine or sandbox for further analysis — but that's a more advanced method. When in doubt, delete it.