ESET Online Scanner is a fantastic free tool for detecting threats without the need to install antivirus software. It uses the same scanning technology and signatures as ESET Smart Security and ESET NOD32 Antivirus. However, it is accessible via the web browser. It can scan tons of areas including autostart destinations, the registry and boot sectors. It can also attempt to fix problems caused by restarts and re-scan files that were previously believed to be infected. It doesn’t, however provide real-time security.
The interface is simple and easy to use. The primary screen displays a list with names and descriptions of the detected threats. The user has the option to remove or quarantine threats and create a custom scanning profile that scans specific folders and/or files. The program can be used offline, but you’ll require an internet connection to download the signatures and complete the initial update.
The program is able to detect numerous types of malware, such as spyware, Trojans, and viruses. It also detects potentially unwanted applications. It can also remove rootkits which are not always removed by other scanners. It can take some time to complete a full scan and the program is heavy on the CPU. It does not check for encrypted or password-protected data as well as it fails to always detect sophisticated zero-day malware. It is best used in combination with other antivirus applications as a second opinion scanner. A free one-time scan is available, but future scans as well as fixes for problems will require a payment.