Links for vendors of anti-virus software and info sites

Here, you will find a selection of antivirus software that you can either download as a full version for free or for a limited period as a demo version.

Free online virus scanners

If you just want to have a "second opinion" about a suspicious file, you can take advantage of the online services that various vendors offer. Just upload your file and wait for the scanner to tell you what it found, either directly on the website or by email. Service providers such as Virustotal and Jotti use a number of scanners simultaneously.

If you want to have your entire computer searched for malware online, your browser will have to have access to the files. Generally, ActiveX controls take care of this. However, there are often security problems with such ActiveX scanners: even renowned products such as those from Symantec or McAfee occasionally allow errors that attackers can use to execute arbitrary code to be injected in ActiveX components. To be on the safe side, you should use a mature on-demand scanner or a special boot CD such as Knoppicillin if you want to scan your entire PC.

Virus databases & general information

On the following pages, you will find virus databases (descriptions) and additional information on malicious software. You can use search masks to find malicious software by name and have a look at its characteristics: how does it spread itself, how can you recognize it, and how can you remove it. You will also find its stand-alone removal tools that simply remove widespread malicious software.