Arbor Networks: Security to the Core

Someone was asking about this list, and I pulled up a more complete list than the Yahoo! “Online Virus Scanners” directory entry. Note that this list is just offered up as links, I do not endorse any of these specifically, nor do I encourage you to forgo adequate PC security tools and just use these. Also note that AV systems will always lag behind malware threats and are always incomplete. A clean bill of health from an AV scanner is not always correct.
OK, so these are not comprehensive like Jotti or VirusTotal, they’re just one vendors’ free online scanner. They also work on PCs running Internet Explorer (ie not on my Mac OS X system). That said, here’s the list (updated February 2, 2007):

• Authentium Command On Demand
• McAfee Free Scan
• PC Pitstop Virus Scan
• Trend Micro HouseCall
• Free Virus Scan
• Panda ActiveScan
• F-Secure Online Virus Scanner
• eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner
• BitDefender Online Scanner
• Symantec Security Check
• Microsoft Live OneCare online scanner
• Avast! Online Scanner (one file at a time)

I also found some related online scanners, specifically spyware scanners (see this list from Yahoo!). This list is shorter, partly because I’m not sure which ones are reputable (so I’ll stick with the ones I’m pretty confident are above board). Again, just passing on links, not endorsing or implying any warranty.

• The Free eTrust(R) PestPatrol Anti-Spyware
• FaceTime Security Labs
• Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for the Web

Another neat tool out there is Secunia’s Software Inspector, a Java applet that can determine if you’re out of date with any software. Very cool tool, indeed. I’m surprised no one did this before.

Hope this list of free security tools is useful.

Edited Feb 2 2007: Added the MSFT OneCare Live link.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 1st, 2007 at 6:25 pm and is filed under Arbor Networks, Malware, Vulnerabilities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.