VirusTotal Explained | How to Scan Files and URLs for Malware Using 70+ Antivirus Engines

In today’s cyber world, checking whether a file or link is safe is more important than ever. VirusTotal is one of the most trusted online tools that helps people scan files, URLs, and even software for viruses, malware, and other threats—for free. Whether you’re a student, developer, or cybersecurity expert, knowing how to use VirusTotal can help you stay safe online.

Let’s explore how VirusTotal works, how to use it, and why it’s a powerful resource for both individuals and professionals.

What is VirusTotal?

VirusTotal is a free online scanning service owned by Google (via Chronicle Security). It lets you upload suspicious files or paste URLs and scans them using over 70 antivirus engines and website scanners.

VirusTotal does not fix or remove viruses, but it tells you whether the file or website is considered malicious or safe based on multiple trusted sources.

What Can You Scan with VirusTotal?

How VirusTotal Works (Simplified)

1. You upload a file or URL

2. VirusTotal scans it with 70+ antivirus engines like Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Avast, etc.

3. It gives a report showing how many engines flagged it as dangerous

4. It displays additional info, such as file behavior, network traffic, and historical data

   
   

Example: You upload a Word document. VirusTotal shows 3 out of 70 antivirus engines mark it as malicious, and explains which threat was detected (e.g., macro virus or trojan).

Top Features of VirusTotal

Free Multi-Engine Scanning

VirusTotal doesn’t rely on one antivirus—it checks your file across dozens of industry tools to increase accuracy.

No Download Needed

Everything runs from your browser. No need to install anything.

Community Ratings

Users can vote whether a file or site seems harmful. This adds a human layer of insight.

Threat Intelligence Integration

Professionals can use VirusTotal’s advanced features for deeper research and threat hunting.

VirusTotal Graph (Pro Feature)

Helps visualize relationships between files, domains, and malware families.

Who Uses VirusTotal?

• Home users: To check downloads or suspicious email attachments

• IT admins: To scan suspicious links or executables in networks

• Malware researchers: To analyze new threats or check malware behavior

• Penetration testers and ethical hackers: To test whether payloads are detected

• Journalists/security bloggers: To verify threat intelligence before publishing

How to Use VirusTotal (Step-by-Step)

File Scan:

1. Go to www.virustotal.com

2. Click “Choose file”

3. Upload your file

4. Wait for the scan and read the results

URL Scan:

1. Click on “URL” tab

2. Paste the link

3. Click submit

4. View detection summary and domain reputation

Understanding VirusTotal Results

If only 1 out of 70 detects something, it might be a false positive. If 10+ do, it’s likely a real threat.

Limitations of VirusTotal

• Not a replacement for antivirus: It tells you if something is dangerous, but doesn’t protect your device.

• Data is public: Uploaded files are shared with security partners, so don’t upload private or sensitive documents.

• Basic scans only: Advanced behavioral analysis may require deeper tools for professionals.

Tips for Safe Usage

• Don’t upload personal ID documents or legal files.

• Use VirusTotal before clicking unknown links.

• Combine results with your own judgment—false positives can happen.

• Always use a full antivirus solution alongside VirusTotal.

Is VirusTotal Safe to Use?

Yes, VirusTotal itself is a safe and reputable platform owned by Google’s cybersecurity division. But keep in mind:

• All files are shared with the security community (for research purposes)

• Don't treat the results as 100% conclusive; always combine with other checks

Why VirusTotal Matters in Cybersecurity

In an age where malware is evolving rapidly and phishing attacks are everywhere, tools like VirusTotal are essential. It gives everyone—technical or non-technical—a fast, easy way to check before they click.

Security is no longer just an IT job. VirusTotal helps everyone take responsibility for cyber hygiene.

Conclusion

VirusTotal is like a public antivirus radar. It doesn’t clean your system, but it shows clear signs of danger before you interact with unknown files or links. It’s easy to use, free, and backed by Google, making it one of the most reliable tools for malware and phishing detection today.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, VirusTotal is your first line of defense.

FAQ:

What is VirusTotal?

VirusTotal is a free online service that scans files, URLs, and hashes using over 70 antivirus engines to detect malware, viruses, and other threats.

Is VirusTotal safe to use?

Yes, VirusTotal is safe. It is owned by Google and used widely by cybersecurity professionals to analyze suspicious files and URLs.

How does VirusTotal work?

VirusTotal uploads a file or URL to its system and scans it with multiple antivirus engines and website scanners to check for malicious behavior.

Is VirusTotal free?

Yes, VirusTotal is completely free for personal use, though it also offers premium API and enterprise features.

Can VirusTotal detect all viruses?

VirusTotal increases detection probability using many antivirus engines, but no tool can guarantee 100% detection.

Does VirusTotal remove malware?

No, VirusTotal only scans and reports threats; it does not remove malware from your device.

What file types can be uploaded to VirusTotal?

You can upload most file types including .exe, .doc, .pdf, .zip, and more up to a size limit of 650MB.

What is the file size limit on VirusTotal?

The current upload size limit for files on VirusTotal is 650MB.

Can VirusTotal scan URLs?

Yes, you can submit a URL to VirusTotal to check if it hosts malware or phishing content.

Does VirusTotal scan email attachments?

You can download the attachment and upload it manually to VirusTotal, but it doesn’t directly scan emails.

What is a VirusTotal hash scan?

You can paste the hash (MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256) of a file to check if it’s already been analyzed.

Is my uploaded file shared publicly?

Yes, all uploaded files may be shared with antivirus companies and researchers for transparency and research unless you're a premium user.

Can hackers use VirusTotal?

Yes, hackers sometimes use VirusTotal to test whether their malware is detected before launching attacks.

Can VirusTotal scan Android APKs?

Yes, APK files can be uploaded to VirusTotal to scan for mobile malware.

What are the limitations of VirusTotal?

It cannot guarantee complete safety, doesn’t remove threats, and files are visible publicly unless you have private access.

Is VirusTotal reliable?

Yes, VirusTotal is widely trusted in the cybersecurity community, but results should be interpreted with other threat intelligence.

What is VT Intelligence?

VT Intelligence is a paid feature for advanced threat hunting and malware research using VirusTotal’s dataset.

Can I use VirusTotal for phishing detection?

Yes, VirusTotal analyzes URLs and domains for phishing content using multiple security engines.

Is VirusTotal legal to use?

Yes, using VirusTotal is legal and it's designed for cybersecurity research, detection, and defense.

How do I know if a file is malicious on VirusTotal?

If multiple engines flag the file as malicious, it’s likely unsafe. VirusTotal also provides behavior and community insights.

What is VirusTotal Graph?

VirusTotal Graph is a visualization tool that helps users understand how files, URLs, domains, and IPs are interconnected.

Does VirusTotal have an API?

Yes, VirusTotal offers both free and premium APIs for automating scans and retrieving threat intelligence.

Can I scan a whole folder with VirusTotal?

No, you must upload one file at a time. You can use scripting and the API for batch processing.

What is VirusTotal Community?

It is a space where users can comment, vote, and share insights on scanned files or URLs to help others identify threats.

Can VirusTotal detect zero-day threats?

VirusTotal may not detect unknown zero-day threats immediately, but it can help identify them if engines are updated.

What antivirus engines does VirusTotal use?

VirusTotal aggregates over 70 antivirus engines, including Kaspersky, Bitdefender, ESET, Sophos, and Microsoft Defender.

Can I use VirusTotal offline?

No, VirusTotal is a cloud-based service and requires an internet connection.

What are false positives in VirusTotal?

False positives are clean files incorrectly flagged as malicious by one or more antivirus engines.

Can VirusTotal scan scripts or macros?

Yes, script files and macro-enabled documents (e.g., .vbs, .docm) can be scanned like any other file.

How often is VirusTotal updated?

VirusTotal updates its antivirus engines and signatures in real-time to provide up-to-date detection.