🛡️ How to protect yourself from Viruses: Online Tools, Open Source Solutions, and Traditional Antiviruses to analyze suspicious files
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Computer security has become a daily necessity: scam emails, dubious attachments, files from unsafe sources... it only takes a moment to find yourself with malware installed on your PC.
Fortunately, there are several tools—both online, local open source, and traditional antivirus—that allow you to check the security of a file before opening it.
In this article, we'll look at the most reliable services and how to use them correctly and safely.
🔎 Why analyze a file before opening it?
A file can contain:
- traditional viruses,
- ransomware,
- data-stealing Trojans,
- malicious scripts hidden in Office documents or PDFs.
Analyzing a suspicious file allows you to identify threats without taking risks and greatly reduces the possibility of compromising your system.
☁️ Online Tools for Analyzing Suspicious Files
Online services are convenient, Fast and easy to use without installing anything. They allow you to scan files with dozens of antivirus engines simultaneously.
1. VirusTotal
The most popular multiple scan service.
Upload a file or enter a URL, and VirusTotal compares it with dozens of antivirus engines and reputation systems.
Link: https://www.virustotal.com
2. MetaDefender Cloud
Based on OPSWAT multi-scanning technology.
Offers:
- Multiple anti-malware engine scans,
- Content disassembly (CDR),
- URL and hash scanning.
Link: https://metadefender.opswat.com
3. Hybrid Analysis
Advanced CrowdStrike service based on the Falcon sandbox.
Excellent for:
- behavioral,
- static,
- dynamic,
- indicators of compromise (IOC).
Link: https://www.hybrid-analysis.com
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Never upload files containing sensitive, personal, corporate, or confidential data.
These services may retain files for research purposes or share them with the community Security.
Online tools are good for:
✔ Files downloaded from the web
✔ Questionable attachments without sensitive information
✘ Not for private documents, contracts, business or personal data
🖥️ Local and Open Source Solutions for Analyzing Offline Files
Perfect for those who want greater privacy, security, or simply cannot send sensitive files to external services.
1. ClamAV (open source)
Open-source antivirus available for all platforms.
Highly appreciated for:
- constant updates,
- automatable scans,
- command line integration.
Link: https://www.clamav.net
2. OpenEDR
A true open-source EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) system.
It allows you to:
- monitor processes,
- log network events,
- identify anomalous activity,
- Analyze suspicious behavior in real time.
Link: https://www.openedr.com
3. PeStudio (free)
Static analysis tool that inspects an EXE or DLL file without executing it.
Detect:
- Imported APIs,
- suspicious strings,
- modified sections,
- malware indicators.
Link: https://www.pestudio.org
4. Cuckoo Sandbox (open source)
Advanced sandbox that allows you to run the file in an isolated environment and observe its behavior.
Analyzes:
- spawned processes,
- system changes,
- network traffic,
- downloaded payloads.
Link: https://cuckoosandbox.org
5. Windows Security (free, integrated)
It's not open source, but it's already included on all Windows 10/11 PCs.
It allows:
- targeted scanning of files or folders,
- real-time protection,
- advanced offline analysis.
Link: integrated into Windows
🛡️ Traditional Antivirus (free or with a free version)
To complete the picture, it's important to include the most popular antivirus programs, useful for continuous and immediate system protection.
However, it's important to remember that the free versions of these antivirus programs have limitations, so they don't offer the same coverage as their paid versions.
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Free ⭐
Excellent detection engine with high performance.
However, the free version does not offer:
- multi-layered ransomware protection,
- VPN (only available in the paid version),
- parental controls,
- advanced anti-phishing protection.
Link: https://www.bitdefender.com
2. Avast Free Antivirus 👍
Comprehensive basic protection, intelligent scanner, behavioral detection.
The free version misses:
- advanced anti-ransomware protection,
- advanced firewall,
- sandbox for running suspicious files,
- advanced banking protection and anti-phishing tools.
Link: https://www.avast.com
3. AVG Free Antivirus
Shares the engine with Avast and is lightweight and easy to use.
The free version does not include:
- Advanced web and anti-fraud protection,
- Real-time ransomware defense,
- Additional firewall,
- System optimization features.
Link: https://www.avg.com
4. Avira Free Antivirus
A reliable and lightweight solution with a good scanning engine.
The free version does not include:
- Advanced firewall,
- Complete web protection,
- Unlimited VPN (very limited),
- Advanced anti-ransomware defenses.
Link: https://www.avira.com
5. Microsoft Defender
Integrated in Windows 10/11, it is a solid and constantly improving solution.
Free, but with some limitations:
- Less effective protection against Very advanced threats,
- Few behavioral analysis options,
- No integrated sandbox,
- Advanced dashboards reserved for Microsoft 365 Business users.
Link: Integrated into Windows
🧰 Best practices to stay safe
- Don't open files from unknown senders.
- Disable macros in Office documents.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date.
- Use a virtual machine to test suspicious files.
- Always back up your data.
- Avoid uploading sensitive files to services online.
🛡️ Conclusion
Scanning a suspicious file before opening it is one of the easiest ways to avoid malware infections.
Whether you choose an online service for a quick check, aWhether you're using an open-source local solution for maximum privacy, or a traditional antivirus for everyday protection, the key is never ignore risk signals.
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