Below are the links to the best available online scanners that search for spyware and viruses on a computer the scanners are run from. They use ActiveXs/plugins in order to access the computer’s file system, so they need to be allowed to be loaded by the computer firewall and/or by other antispyware/antivirus program running on the computer.
- Symantec (Norton) Security Scan
- Kaspersky Online Virus Scanner
- McAfee Antivirus FreeScan
- ESET Online Antivirus Scanner
- F-Secure Online Scanner
Once again, the tools above are the best online antivirus tools available on the Internet. All of them belong to the companies that produce the reliable antivirus and firewall software. Online scanners are fine for one-off computer check if there’s a suspicion that a computer is infected with the virus or the spyware but personally I wouldn’t encourage anyone to use these tools all the time. If someone is worried about their computer security, they should install the special software to protect their computer from the malicious programs. Remember to install only one antivirus that protects the computer all the time because if two are installed and are running, they will clash and the operating system may not work properly.
Other security programs may be installed but only to scan the computer once or manually on demand instead of being permanently run on the background. This is where online security checks come in handy - in their cases the hard drive space hungry program installs are not required and possible configuration changes and uninstalls are not required as well.
Note that some of the above tools work only in Internet Explorer.





September 16th, 2009 - 8:55 pm
Here are some features that is missing must be mentioned in the post.
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.
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.
McAfee
Free online anti-virus scan.
F-Secure
Free online scan
Symantec/Norton scan
Free scan from the makers of Norton products. Very reliable, and up to date.