VirusTotal Reviews

Name: VirusTotal
Brand: VirusTotal
Rating: 4.4 (10 reviews)

4.4 out of 5

10 reviews
100% willing to recommend

118 followers

What is VirusTotal?

VirusTotal is an essential tool for gathering malware information, analyzing compromised data, and monitoring malicious campaigns.

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VirusTotal is the #4 ranked solution in top Anti-Malware Tools and #5 ranked solution in top Threat Intelligence Platforms. PeerSpot users give VirusTotal an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 10 most recent VirusTotal reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.4. VirusTotal is most commonly compared to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: VirusTotal vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. VirusTotal is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 60% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Anti-Malware Tools

November 2024

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Helped 816,192 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Chinmay Banerjee

Advisor Adtech/Martech/API product/project Engineering at Fiserv

There are two gray areas I still need to explore. I have worked with VirusTotal because it easily integrates with over seventy antivirus scanners and blacklisting services. In addition to those there is much scope to improve and add other services or integrations. The areas for improvement are that VirusTotal is not using much AI or generative AI models, while other competitors are starting to build them. For example, VirusTotal's work is based on the setup done by their engineers. If you want to do scanning or protection activities for a specific site, app, or device, that is the area VirusTotal is currently focused on. But other competitors are building AI models that can do things like left-side scanning and provide auto-generated reports. VirusTotal has predefined reports, but there is a lot of manual effort involved. Secondly, the API is very limited if I want to integrate VirusTotal with other applications. They need to build more connectors and provide support for Webhook connectors for the API. If you can't build your own connector, it's always good to have provisions for Webhook setup connectors across platforms. Thirdly, Kaspersky, a competitor of VirusTotal, is using a methodology called "gatekeeper." A gatekeeper is a security system that protects the inside of a building from outside threats. This is the model Kaspersky is currently using. You have your website set up, but the entire army of VirusTotal or Kaspersky is standing guard, protecting you from the first gate itself. Right now, VirusTotal detects threats from your domain, but it is always better to verify inside the domain and protect it from the first level when people or malware are entering. This first level of protection is lacking in VirusTotal right now. The security bridge and protection gate are missing.

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Muhammad Hanif

Cyber Security Senior Consultant at Inspira Enterprise

I am working in GRC, and sometimes VirusTotal is just a tool. We mostly use VirusTotal for pinging suspicious IP addresses. Whenever there is a suspicious IP, we put it inside VirusTotal for further details. We use it to get details about IP originations or when we need to check IPs, URLs, or…

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Joel Ogbechie

Cybersecurity Operations Lead at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

There should be room for improvement, particularly in the API side of things. It could benefit from more detailed explanations of backwards compatibility and integration into various infrastructures. Additionally, there are cases of false positives, such as when analyzing Microsoft block addresses, leading to incorrect malware detections. Improvement in clarity and reducing false positives would be beneficial.

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VirusTotal mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of VirusTotal in the Anti-Malware Tools category stands at 6.8%, down from 7.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Anti-Malware Tools

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 18, 2024

Valuable Features

VirusTotal excels in its worldwide malware information database, malware detection, IP and URL reputation analysis, and file inspections. Users appreciate its ability to analyze large files, utilize APIs for automation, and provide detailed threat insights, including MD5 and SHA-256 signatures. The community feature offers valuable threat intelligence, while integration with over 70 antivirus scanners enhances threat data collection and privacy. Its detection accuracy and comprehensive details on suspicious activities and behaviors are highly regarded.

"VirusTotal provides 95% to 98% accurate information."
"VirusTotal provides 95% to 98% accurate information."
"The feature I like the most is the ability to see the MD5 or SHA-256 signature of the file, and also the composition of the file according to its segments."

Room for Improvement

VirusTotal needs an improved user interface and better documentation for query creation. The integration of AI models and more API connectors is lacking. Enhancements in threat correlation and reduction of false positives are needed. The platform should provide more accessible features in the non-paid version and expand advertisement efforts, especially in the Middle East. Advanced features like first-level protection and increased endpoint security are also areas needing attention.

"I would like to see improvements in the score consistency and accuracy."
"I would like to see improvements in the score consistency and accuracy."
"There is room for improvement, particularly in making some of the most useful features more accessible in the non-paid version."

ROI

The ROI from VirusTotal is positive.

Pricing

For enterprise buyers evaluating VirusTotal, users report mixed experiences: some find it economical, while others consider it expensive. It is regarded as reasonable compared to competitors. A one-week free trial is available, allowing potential buyers to discuss needs with VirusTotal’s team. Costs may be negotiated post-trial. Some utilize free licenses with account management to minimize expenses. Pricing seems to depend heavily on specific organizational requirements, making direct discussions beneficial.

"We are using VirusTotal with free licenses, managing the license limits across three or four accounts, thus incurring no costs."
"The pricing is reasonable."
"VirusTotal is an expensive solution."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize VirusTotal for malware analysis, cybersecurity investigations, and monitoring suspicious activities. They employ it to check hashes, IP addresses, and URLs for malicious intent. It aids in analyzing samples, detecting phishing attempts, and creating alerts for regional cyber threats. Users value its API for determining IP maliciousness and its private scanning feature for confidential file examination. VirusTotal is integral to enhancing security processes and uncovering information about potential threats.

Service and Support

VirusTotal's customer service and support are generally rated positively, with good technical assistance. However, there are noted delays in handling some cases and concerns about the lack of a solid structure. Support is accessible through email, with separate lines for commercial and technical inquiries, although issues with support numbers and API token delays have been mentioned. Customized packages and performance-based contracts are available, with community support addressing numerous queries. Some users manage support internally without contacting VirusTotal.

Deployment

Users found VirusTotal's initial setup to be straightforward and easy. The process varies based on API usage for websites, apps, or systems, with help available through user manuals and support. Onboarding can take up to a week with minimal personnel. They appreciate the web-based app's ease of use and the SaaS nature of VirusTotal. Some APIs may need clearer instructions, but cloud and API functionalities are extensive. Deployment involves integrating endpoints like PCs and servers.

Scalability

Organizations using VirusTotal express satisfaction with its scalability, though some mention areas for improvement, especially regarding quotas and file size limits. Integration with other tools and custom APIs enhances scalability. While not extensively tested in very large environments, it is generally applicable to various setups. Limitations appear in the free version related to file size and batch scanning, but users with appropriate contracts manage without significant issues. Some praise its capability to deliver necessary details.

Stability

Users consider VirusTotal highly stable, rating it ten out of ten. Stability is generally praised as quite good with readily available services. Though a few glitches occur, most of them report consistent performance without significant disruptions. There are some isolated instances of non-responsiveness, but VirusTotal maintains steady operations, unaffected by external input. Many experience reliable stability with no major issues, mentioning consistent stability and effectiveness in its operations.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

University

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Insurance Company

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Real Estate/Law Firm

Construction Company

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Marketing Services Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Transportation Company

Performing Arts

Outsourcing Company

Consumer Goods Company

Compare VirusTotal with alternative products

Learn more about VirusTotal

VirusTotal enables users to examine malware hashes, create alerts for targeted attacks, and utilize IOCs and YARA rules to detect threats. Its private scanning capabilities ensure discreet file analysis, while the API assesses IP address threats. Widely used in sectors like retail and FinTech, VirusTotal significantly boosts productivity.

What are the most valuable features of VirusTotal?

Worldwide malware information database: Extensive global repository of malware data.
Integration with 70+ antivirus scanners: Collaborates with numerous antivirus and blacklisting services.
API systems for reputation checks: Multiple API systems to verify reputations.
Detecting, blocking, and removing threats: Robust threat mitigation capabilities.
Blocking phishing attempts: Effective in preventing phishing attacks.
Scanning the dark web: Monitors dark web for compromised emails.
Privacy in threat data collection: Ensures privacy while gathering threat data.

What benefits should users look for in VirusTotal reviews?

Enhanced threat detection: Improved accuracy in identifying threats.
Increased productivity: Streamlined processes and faster incident response.
Seamless integration: Compatibility with existing security frameworks.
Comprehensive threat intelligence: Access to extensive threat data.
Privacy assurance: Ensures user data confidentiality.

VirusTotal is highly valued in industries like retail and FinTech, where it assists in examining malware hashes, creating alerts, and utilizing IOCs and YARA rules for advanced threat detection. Despite its valuable features, there is room for improvement in its interface, automation, AI integration, and API connectability, areas where competitors sometimes offer more advanced solutions.