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When it comes to cybersecurity, you can’t be too cautious these days. Hackers use malware to perform malicious acts, like stealing passwords or money from your online accounts. So if you want a malware scanner that gives you solid protection but you don’t want to pay for it, there are some good options available.
For the simplicity of entering a URL into a free website and malware checker, you might opt for something like Sucuri SiteCheck. You can use the safe website checker to verify different sites before you access them. You can also do the same with SiteLock, but if you are a website owner, SiteLock will scan your site for you without accessing your internal source code. If you use Windows and want a malware removal tool that you can download without installing, Norton Power Eraser can get the job done.
The providers we’re reviewing all scan for malicious code or malicious software and are entirely free. You may want to test several and see which you like best, but we'll give you the details and our test results to help you decide. The scanners also offer paid plans with more premium features if you want more than you get from the free tools.
The malware scanner you use could depend on the situation. For instance, you may want to check websites that you frequently visit or you may need to remove malware. With computer viruses becoming more prevalent, it’s understandable to use as much security on your devices as possible. We’ll look at some examples and use cases for our top five malware scanners.
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Sucuri is great if you want to scan websites fast and get some technical information along the way. SiteCheck, its web security scanner, shows you the IP address and website blacklist status. A blacklisted website means it is deemed unsafe, so it’s not one you want to access.
You can get a pretty clear picture when you run a web address on SiteCheck. It also informs you of the firewall status and if there’s website monitoring. In addition, it can check for redirects, iframes, and JavaScript to help you determine if a website is unsafe to use.
You’ll be able to see the malware security risk, which can help you decide if you want to continue visiting the website. That’s a great tool to have if you spend a lot of time browsing different internet sites.
We liked how fast the malware scanner checked the website we tested. The scan only took a few seconds and gave us all the data we mentioned above. We also liked that the more technical-minded user can dig a little deeper to find out more about the website’s security. This is also a great product for someone who has a website. You can run a scan whenever you want and see if there’s anything unsecured listed.
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SiteLock may be best for the user who has their own website and wants to check other websites for malware. If you have a website, you know how hard it can be to keep malware from bogging it down. This product not only offers malware detection, but it also displays if any plug-in vulnerabilities are showing. That is especially useful if you have a small website that doesn’t get lots of traffic. If that’s the case, the free version can give you much-needed peace of mind.
We liked using this free tool to perform a basic scan, which gives us enough information to know the website looks safe. It’s a clean interface that doesn’t offer extra technical details. SiteLock also lets you know the platform a website uses, which can be nice if you want to know how a site was put together and if it’s known for a positive user experience. If you want a tool to check for malware without a lot of fuss, SiteLock could be a great option.
We also liked the transparency you get upfront with the product. It lets you know that the free scan may not detect if the website is entirely free of malware because it checks for external website files, unlike the paid plans that scan code and files connected to your website.
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Norton Power Eraser is best for Windows users who want to scan for malware but don’t want to install more software onto their devices. The program appeals to many users who want to save room on their computers and not bog down system resources with more software applications. Power Eraser is not available for anything other than devices compatible with Windows.
We think the ability to use Norton Power Eraser without having to install it is a plus. Every installation takes up resources on your device, so you want to be sure you aren’t overloading it with too many programs.
The product also scans for potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), which can be a pain. If Power Eraser finds malware, it will remove it for you, so your device can be more secure.
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Bitdefender is best for the Mac user who wants plenty of scanning options. This program lets you scan the most critical locations of your device, complete a deep system scan, or create a custom location scan. If you want an interface that’s easy to use and gives you straightforward status updates on your device security, Bitdefender Virus Scanner is a great option.
We had a blast testing Bitdefender Virus Scanner. What we liked right away were the options you get to choose from, like the deep system scan or merely scanning critical locations if you’re more pressed for time.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner also stands out because it scans running applications while you’re on your device. Before Bitdefender scans your programs, it updates to check for any new viruses. That makes it more valuable because you get protection against the latest security threats.
With the features you get from Bitdefender, we don’t think you can go wrong with this program. If you want more security and don’t want to pay for it, this offers a lot of value without a hefty price tag. You can also get Bitdefender for Windows if you don’t use a Mac.
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Trend Micro HouseCall, from the makers of Trend Micro antivirus, is a good software for those users wanting options for Windows or Mac platforms. You can get this software for your home network, too, but that feature is only compatible with Windows 11.
It also functions with existing security software you may already have on your device. Sometimes that can be a hassle because running two similar programs can cause your device to lag. Being able to have two security systems run simultaneously gives you more protection. With HouseCall, you can remove viruses and spyware, and you can add a reminder to scan weekly if desired.
There’s a lot to like about this program. You get custom scan options, so you can run a full scan or a quick scan. HouseCall removes any threats it finds, and you can scan your files to make sure they’re safe. Although it’s available for Windows and Mac users, keep in mind the option to use the home network feature is only compatible with Windows 11. We hardly felt that was a dealbreaker with all the features you get with HouseCall. Of course, we liked that you can use it with your existing antivirus software if you’d like. Some people prefer to use anti-malware vs. antivirus software, so you can use both with HouseCall.
If you’re specifically looking to check if a website is safe, it’s best to use a tool like SiteCheck or SiteLock so you can quickly enter a URL to look for any threats.
There are numerous tools for free virus scans, and you can check out options like Bitdefender, Norton Power Eraser, or HouseCall to see which one you like best. All of these are free to use and offer custom virus scans.
The risks of malware infection from a website include having your sensitive data stolen and used for financial gain. You also run the risk of malware getting stored on your device and harmful software spying on your online searches and activities.
The five antivirus programs we’ve chosen all check for malware and are free to use. A few of the options, like Norton Power Eraser, Bitdefender for Mac, or HouseCall, are more geared toward scanning your device for security threats. If you want to run a quick search to see if a website has malware issues, an online tool like SiteCheck could work well. SiteLock also checks URLs, and if you have a personal website, SiteLock will run malware scans to check your site.
All the scanners have some pros and cons, but that comes with any software. Depending on your needs, we don’t think you’ll regret trying out any of these free file and website malware scanners. If you want to know how to detect malware on your device or website, using one of these products may be your first step.
Inclusive antivirus, scam, and web protection with the added privacy of a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Get a real-time Protection Score that measures your online safety and offers guidance to improve security
Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
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