WebVetted Beta
Recommendation
Proceed
Overall Summary
Safe
Why we think so

VirusTotal.com is a well-known computer security website owned by Google, offering free tools that scan files, URLs, and domains with over 70 antivirus engines. It ranks about 2,782 globally with roughly 15 million monthly visits, primarily from Russia, the US, and Germany. The domain was registered in 2002 and uses reputable services like Google Cloud and MarkMonitor. Users can contact VirusTotal via emails like contact@virustotal.com and social platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn. The platform is praised for its detailed multi-engine scanning and community support but has some complaints about false positives and privacy risks when uploading files publicly. There are no scam reports or lawsuits against the domain, and it remains a trusted resource for malware analysis and cybersecurity research.

Confidence Score
90%

Risk Insights

🛡️

Long-standing, Reliable Service 🛡️

Domain registered in 2002, marking long-term presence.
Operates on stable infrastructure (Google Cloud, MarkMonitor).
No blacklist or phishing warnings detected.

High User Engagement and Trust

About 15 million visits monthly worldwide.
Referenced by major cybersecurity news and reports.
Active trademark protections under Google Inc.
⚠️

User Cautions on False Positives and Privacy

False positives occur due to multi-engine scanning methods.
Public free uploads risk exposing sensitive files.
Private scanning options recommended for confidential data.

Contradictory Signals

While VirusTotal is trusted for malware scanning, non-expert users may find some results confusing and must be cautious with file uploads.

Signal A: Wide usage and positive reputation in security communities

Signal B: User complaints about false positives and privacy risks

Category Scores

Identity 90/100
Reputation 85/100
Technical 90/100
Content 80/100
Legal 90/100
Business Validity 90/100

Red Flags & Warnings

  • File uploads to VirusTotal’s free service become publicly accessible, which risks privacy exposure for sensitive data.

🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis

Domain Age and Registrar Reputation

Score: 90/100
Passed

"Long domain age and secure registrar signal stability and authenticity."

Reason: Registered in 2002 and managed by MarkMonitor, a reputable registrar protecting domain integrity.

Traffic and User Access patterns

Score: 85/100
Passed

"Traffic data does not suggest bot or scammy activity; user engagement is genuine."

Reason: High global traffic rank (~2,782) and 15M+ monthly visits with balanced direct and search traffic.

Safety Blacklist Status

Score: 90/100
Passed

"Absence of blacklisting supports safety claims."

Reason: No entries found on Google Safe Browsing or crypto scam blacklists.

Trademark and Brand Authenticity

Score: 85/100
Passed

"Trademarks cover computer security and software services relevant to VirusTotal."

Reason: Active USPTO trademarks belong to Google and related entities, confirming brand legitimacy.

Contact Information Transparency

Score: 80/100
Passed

"Availability of contact details supports trust and accountability."

Reason: Multiple valid emails publicly listed tied to VirusTotal official documents and community.

Media and News Mentions

Score: 80/100
Passed

"Positive media presence reflects good public reputation."

Reason: Recent media coverage from reputable sources highlights VirusTotal contributions and updates.

User Reviews and Reputation Reports

Score: 75/100
Passed

"No scam reports, but users should be aware of usage cautions."

Reason: Generally positive recognition among security professionals with noted issues on false positives and privacy risks.

Your Next Steps

  • 1
    Use VirusTotal for quick malware scanning but avoid uploading sensitive documents publicly.
  • 2
    Consider paid private scanning options to protect confidential data.
  • 3
    Check detection results carefully to avoid false positives and seek expert advice if uncertain.

Evidence & Citations