VirusTotal is a free online service that analyzes files and URLs for malicious content using a wide range of security tools. It's designed to help users quickly identify potential threats.
How VirusTotal Works
Here's a breakdown of how VirusTotal operates:
- Multi-Engine Scanning: VirusTotal utilizes over 70 antivirus scanners and URL/domain blocklisting services to analyze submitted files and URLs. This multi-engine approach provides a comprehensive security check, leveraging the strengths of many different detection methods.
- Signal Extraction: Beyond basic virus scanning, VirusTotal employs various tools to extract signals from the studied content. These signals help identify patterns and characteristics of malicious code.
- User Submission: Users can select a file from their computer via the browser and send it to VirusTotal for analysis. This accessibility makes it easy for anyone to check files or websites they are unsure about.
Key Features
- File Analysis: Upload files directly from your computer to scan them against numerous antivirus engines.
- URL/Domain Analysis: Input URLs or domain names to have them checked against blocklists and other security databases.
- Detailed Reports: Receive comprehensive reports that display the results from each security tool used, helping you understand the nature of a potential threat.
- Community Sharing: Analysis results and data are often shared within the VirusTotal community, creating a valuable resource for identifying new malware.
Practical Example
Imagine you received a suspicious email with an attachment. Instead of opening the attachment immediately, you can:
- Visit the VirusTotal website.
- Upload the attachment file.
- Wait for VirusTotal to scan the file against its database.
- Review the report to determine if the file is malicious.
Summary
VirusTotal is a powerful tool that provides a comprehensive way to analyze files and URLs for malicious content by using numerous antivirus engines, security tools and user submissions. It helps to protect users by quickly identifying potential threats.
