What is VirusTotal

What is VirusTotal

VirusTotal is one of the safest ways to check a suspicious file or link — without opening it on your own computer.

In 2026, scammers are using AI-generated emails, fake invoices, and realistic download links that look completely legitimate. VirusTotal lets you scan files and URLs using dozens of security engines at once, so you can spot threats before they become a problem.

VirusTotal works by submitting a file or URL to be scanned by a variety of antivirus engines and website scanners. The results of the scans are then displayed on the VirusTotal website, along with other information about the file or URL, such as its size, MD5 hash, and file type.

VirusTotal is a free service, and it is used by individuals, businesses, and security organizations to scan files and URLs for malware. It is also used by law enforcement agencies to investigate cybercrime.

VirusTotal is a valuable tool for protecting yourself from malware. If you are unsure whether a file or URL is safe, you can submit it to VirusTotal for scanning.

Here are some of the features of VirusTotal:

• File and URL scanning: VirusTotal can scan files and URLs for malware and other types of malicious content.

• Threat intelligence: VirusTotal provides threat intelligence about files and URLs, such as the number of antivirus engines that have detected malware in the file or URL, and the date and time the file or URL was first seen.

• API: VirusTotal has an API that can be used to integrate VirusTotal scanning into other applications.

Here are some of the benefits of using VirusTotal:

• Free to use: VirusTotal is a free service, so you can use it to scan files and URLs without any cost.

Why VirusTotal Matters More Than Ever in 2026

Today’s scams aren’t obvious pop-ups anymore.

I regularly see emails that look like they came from banks, shipping companies, even Microsoft — and many of them pass basic antivirus checks. VirusTotal works differently. Instead of relying on one scanner, it checks suspicious files and links against 70+ security engines, which dramatically improves detection of new and emerging threats.

• Large database of malware signatures: VirusTotal has a large database of known malware signatures, so it can detect a wide variety of malware.

• Threat intelligence: VirusTotal provides threat intelligence about files and URLs, so you can see how many other people have scanned the file or URL and whether it has been detected as malicious.

• API: VirusTotal has an API that can be used to integrate VirusTotal scanning into other applications.

If you are looking for a way to protect yourself from malware, I recommend using VirusTotal. It is a free and easy-to-use service that can help you to keep your computer safe.

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to use VirusTotal:

1. Go to the VirusTotal website: https://www.virustotal.com/
2. Click on the “Upload File” button.
3. Select the file that you want to scan from your computer.
4. Click on the “Scan” button.
5. The file will be scanned by a variety of antivirus engines and website scanners.
6. The results of the scans will be displayed on the VirusTotal website.
7. You can see how many antivirus engines have detected malware in the file, and you can also see the date and time the file was first seen.
8.  

Here are some additional tips for using VirusTotal:

• If you are unsure whether a file is safe, you can submit it to VirusTotal for scanning.

• You can also use VirusTotal to scan URLs.

• VirusTotal has an API that can be used to integrate VirusTotal scanning into other applications.

What VirusTotal Does Not Do

VirusTotal does not clean or remove malware. It’s a diagnostic tool, not an antivirus replacement. Think of it like a second opinion before you click, open, or install something you’re unsure about.

Is VirusTotal safe to use?

Yes. VirusTotal is owned by Google and is widely used by security professionals worldwide. It allows you to analyze files and links safely without running them on your own computer.

I hope this helps!

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Viruses are a major threat to computer security. They can steal your personal information, damage your files, and even take control of your computer. If you think you have a virus, it is important to act quickly to remove it.

One way to check for viruses is to use VirusTotal. VirusTotal is a website that scans files and URLs for malware. If you submit a file to VirusTotal, it will be scanned by a variety of antivirus engines. If any of the antivirus engines detect malware, you will be notified.

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