Spycar prepares a series of tests in the form of links associated to Windows executables that represent different types of spyware behaviors. After the tests, Spycar provides a downloadable file called TowTruck 1.0 which measures how your anti-spyware tool acted on the changes initiated by the links. Towtruck will then evaluate whether the spyware-like behavior was blocked or allowed by your spyware tool. You can then use TowTruck to revert the changes done by Spycar and bring back your system to its previous state.

Spycar is a great tool for users who want to add an extra layer of security on top of their already installed tools in their system.

Features:

• Free and easy to use
• Step-by-step instructions are provided
• Evaluate spyware tools capabilities
• Helps you determine if your system is spyware-free
• Provides safe tests to check your anti-spyware tool
• Similar Tools: Malwarebytes, Spyware Terminator and VirScan

Check out Spycar @ www.spycar.org/Spycar.html (via Online-Tech-Tips)

Simply upload any file that is binary or executable or a script with a .jbs extension. Enter your email address and choose which version of Windows you want to run the file on.

JoeBox will then send you a detailed HTML report in an email showing you the results of the analysis. You can also choose to get network data. JoeBox is not a popular sandbox for analyzing malware which means it is less likely to be blocked by malware scripts. Each file uploaded can be up to 5MB in size and needs to be an uncompressed file.

Features:

• Analyze any file or script for malware.
• Choose to run on Windows XP, Vista or 7.
• No waiting, results are emailed to you.
• No registration required.
• Similar websites: VirScan, Virus Scan, NanoScan, VirusTotal and NoVirusThanks.

Visit JoeBox @ www.joebox.org/submit.php (Via Raymond)

Simply upload a suspicious file and click “Scan”. You will have wait several minutes before the scan starts and produces results for each antivirus engine.

Since it uses multiple online antivirus engines simultaneously, it is far more effective at detecting viruses and other threats than any single online antivirus on its own. That being said, VirusChief is not an only online virus scaner that uses virus definition from multiple engines, there is also VirusTotal, Filterbit and several more.

Features:

• Free online virus scanner.
• Scan suspicious individual files online for viruses and threats.
• Uses multiple online virus scan engines including AntiVir, Avast, AVG, BitDefender, Dr.Web and others (total 13 engines).
• View scan results for each antivirus engine.
• No registration needed.

Check out VirusChief @ www.viruschief.com

Check out the new Panda Cloud Antivirus. It is first free lightweight antivirus solution that runs “in the cloud”, which means that all the processing and scanning is done on their servers and doesn’t tax your computer resources while it runs. It consumes around 17 MB of RAM while in use. In comparison, the average local antivirus consumes around 60 MB of memory.

It collects new virus information in real-time from millions of users like you, automatically updates your virus definitions, detects and removes the possible threats including viruses, malware, trojans, spyware, tracking cookies and more.

It has a very simple and intuitive interface. Download it free from the website, install it and forget about it.

Features:

• 100% free online antivirus.
• Collects virus information from millions of users in real time, automatically updates your virus definitions, detects and removes possible threats.
• Lightweight and most operations are performed online.
• Protects against all kinds of possible threats – viruses, malware, trojans, spyware, tracking cookies and more
• Consumes very little of your system resources, since all the scanning and processing is done “in the cloud” (remote company servers)
• Simple and pleasant interface.
• Currently supports Windows XP.
• Download it free from the website

Try PandaCloudAntivirus @ www.cloudantivirus.com

It also includes a so called active surf protection that blocks malicious sites even if accessed directly from the address bar. For more info watch the demo video below:

Features

• Real time web page scanner plug in for your web browser.
• Available for Firefox and Internet Explorer.
• Simple and easy to use.
• Similar tools: McAfee.

Check out AVGLinkScanner @ http://linkscanner.avg.com

It can also come in very handy if you want check your email or login into one of your web accounts from some public computer.

Quickscan runs online, so there is nothing to install. You are only aksed to allow ActiveX control on your browser. By default it works only on Internet Explorer. Firefox need to have IE Tab addon in order to use it.

Features:

• Online spyware and virus scan.
• No download and no registration.
• Scan your computer as many times as you want.
• Supports IE and Firefox (IE Tab extension needed).
• Also see 10 Free Online Malware and Virus Scanners.

Check out QuickScan @ www.qscan.bitdefender.com

To start click “Browse” and navigate to the file you want to submit for a scan. Then click on “Send File” button and wait for the upload to finish. Once the file is uploaded, Metascan Online will scan it and give back a report listing scan results from each antivirus engine (se screenshot below).

Features:

• Scan files online for malware online (viruses, trojans, worms etc).
• Scan as many files as you like. No email or sign-up required.
• Uploaded files scanned by multiple antivirus engines.
• Scan with Metascan, Norman Data Defense Systems, ClamAV, ESET, Microworld and VirusBuster.
• Maximum allowed file size: 20 mb.
• Compressed file scanning supported.
• Similar websites: VirScan, Virus Scan, NanoScan, VirusTotal and NoVirusThanks.

Check out Metascan Online @ http://www.metascan-online.com

From the page:

“In only a few minutes ThreatExpert can process a sample and generate a highly detailed threat report with the level of technical detail that matches or exceeds antivirus industry standards such as those normally found in online virus encyclopedias“.

The whole thing is pretty simple. Go to ThreatExpert, browse and submit the infected file, enter your email address and click on “Submit”. Shortly after you should receive an email notifying you that the analysis is complete with the link to the detailed report.

Here is a partial screenshot of a sample ThreatExpert report:

Go to ThreatExpert @ www.threatexpert.com

Why would anyone use this? Well, one way to make use of VirScan is to recheck those files that you think are safe but your favorite antivirus software says otherwise, or vice versa. If you’re a Windows user and install new programs on a regular basis then probably you have experienced this before.

Features:

• Upload and scan any file which is smaller than 10 MB in size.
• Supports .rar / .zip archive files. (must include less than 10 files).
• Scan compressed files that are password protected.
• No sign-up or registration required.

Again, VirScan is a simple online tool to check files for malware presence, it’s NOT meant to replace the antivirus program on your system. Also note that VirScan does not guarantee that scan results are 100% accurate. So even if it reports no presence of malware, there is still a small chance that the file is infected.

Visit VirSCAN @ www.virscan.org

PC Magazine: “…My favorite for a quick checkup is Panda’s NanoScan (www.nanoscan.com).”

Nano Scan – Features:

• Detects more than 2.7 million of viruses, spyware, trojans, etc.
• Access NanoScan virus check right from your personal startpage, i.e. NetVibes, iGoogle or PageFlakes.
• TotalScan: In case NanoScan detects something use Totalscan to remove it.
• The first time you use NanoScan you will need to download an ActiveX control or a plug-in, depending on what browser you have.
• Multi-lingual: Available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian.
• API (for developers): Integrate Nanoscan service into your website for free.
• Find out more about how Nanoscan works on its about page here.

Check NanoScan @ www.nanoscan.com