The Great Geek Manual

The best path to security is prevention, but situations are always going to arise in which a user is stuck on an outdated system that handles an internet connection better than a pile of memory-intensive applications running in the background. In those cases, or when you’re using a system that you don’t have permission to install software on, running an online scanner is your best bet for eradicating spyware and viruses. Here’s a round-up of the twenty most popular security scanners online.

A-Squared Web Malware Scanner – A scanner for IE which scans specified locations and removes viruses. It requires a one-time 20MB download.

AhnLab MyV3 Online Anti-Virus Scanner – A scanner for Firefox and IE which scans but does not remove viruses.

Authentium Command On Demand – A scanner for IE which scans specified locations, but it has a notably poor track record.

BitDefender Online Scanner – A scanner for IE which finds and removes viruses.

CA Online Virus Scanner – A scanner for IE which scans specified locations and removes viruses.

ESET Online Scanner – A scanner for IE which finds and removes viruses.

ewido Anti-spyware Online Scanner – A scanner for IE which finds and removes viruses.

F-Secure Online Virus Scanner – A scanner for IE which finds and removes viruses. It requires a one-time 35MB download.

iolo Online Virus Scanner – A scanner for IE with a particularly poor track record. Not recommended for most problems.

Jotti’s Malware Scan – A service that scans files using multiple applications for viruses. Useful when using computers other than your own.

Kaspersky Online Scanner – A scanner for IE which finds and removes viruses. It requires a very slow one-time 16MB download.

McAfee FreeScan – A rapid scanner for IE which finds and removes viruses.

Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool – A scanner for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 that checks for prevalent malicious software, such as the Blaster and Sasser worms.

NanoScan – A scanner for Firefox and IE which scans memory rather than files for increased speed. This tool is recommended for regular maintenance, not in-depth diagnosis, as memory scans provide less than air-tight accuracy.

OneCare Safety Scanner – A particularly slow-moving scanner for IE which scans custom locations and removes viruses.

Panda ActiveScan – A scanner for IE which scans specified locations and removes viruses.

Symantec Security Check – A scanner for IE which scans but does not remove viruses.

Trend Micro HouseCall – A scanner for Firefox and IE which is finds and removes viruses.

Virus Total – A service that scans files for viruses. Useful when using computers other than your own.