VirusTotal is a remarkably useful protection platform that allows you to scan files online through several antivirus platforms at once like TrendMicro, McAfee, BitDefender, Kaspersky, DrWeb and more. We use it here at Dottech to scan programs before we recommend them –or advise against them, but you probably already knew that. Having access to VirusTotal somewhat alleviates the need to run antivirus software locally. I say somewhat because it’s always a good practice to locally protect your machine, but I digress. One of the biggest problems with VirusTotal is that files are analyzed on the fly via a web based interface, and you can only analyze one file or directory at a time. PhrozenSoft VirusTotal Uploader is a unique desktop app for Windows that allows you to upload and analyze files with VirusTotal without even opening a web browser.

What is it and what does it do

Main Functionality

PhrozenSoft VirusTotal Uploader is a convenient desktop application that allows you to analyze files through VirusTotal without a web browser. You can drag and drop files into the window to automatically upload and scan them, and the application also places a minimal widget in the system tray. An additional feature allows you to scan running processes on your computer in order to check how safe they are.

Pros

• Scan files with VirusTotal service directly on your desktop
  • Detailed results listings
  • Double click on a listing to see scan results (this makes it easier to identify false positives)
• Supports drag and drop functionality, and includes desktop widget
• Additional scanning tools like processes, services and network traffic analyzers
• Direct links to VirusTotal once scans complete (opens in a browser window)
• Download and scan function allows you to enter a download URL and scan immediately
• Notifications when a scan has completed
• Easy to use and light on resources

Cons

• A couple of the extra tools are unnecessary like startup analyzer and system services (you can use third party programs or Windows system admin tools to monitor these elements)
• NO XP support mentioned (use at your own risk)

Discussion

Obviously, writing for Dottech has me using VirusTotal quite often. A tool like VirusTotal Uploader has the potential to be incredibly convenient. Adversely, even if you only analyze a file through VirusTotal every so often- this tool eliminates the need for a standard web browser.

The interface is pretty basic, but it’s also easy to use. In order to analyze a particular file, all you have to do is drag and drop it into the main window. VirusTotal Uploader also installs a desktop widget which acts as a small window that you can drag and drop files into. The widget can be moved anywhere on the desktop, but by default it appears in the lower right corner just above the system tray. Even when VirusTotal Uploader is closed (minimized) the widget remains active. You can always disable the widget too, if you decide you don’t really want it.

You can also upload files through the right click context menu in windows, or a standard open button within the application window. In total that’s like three different ways to upload files to the VirusTotal servers through the application.

You can analyze a single file or batch upload files through the app. Detailed logs for each file scan are offered including detection rate, status, date scanned, and more. The main UI is separated into three windows:

• Uploads process- shows results from the file upload process
• Awaiting results- shows current scans in progress
• Available results- shows completed and analyzed results

In addition to simple detection, there are several tools that offer advanced functionality.

• Running Processes- scans currently running processes on your machine
• Program Startup- scans startup items and allows you to analyze them for malicious activity
• Program Services- displays a complete list of system services and lets you know if they are running or stopped, all services can be analyzed
• Active Connections- displays all your active internet connections and allows you to scan them for malicious activity

If you happen to connect through a proxy, you can also set up a proxy from within the application settings. Personally, I don’t fiddle with proxies but it’s always good to know the feature exists- I know many of you out there do.

For reference, PhrozenSoft VirusTotal Uploader users about 9,100KB of RAM while running.

Conclusion and download link

All in all, PhrozenSoft VirusTotal Uploader is a very convenient way to analyze files through our beloved virus scanning service, VirusTotal. You can batch upload multiple files at once, or you can scan a single file at a time- it’s entirely up to you. It’s very easy to submit files too, you just drag and drop them into the main window, or the widget window. In addition, VirusTotal Uploader adds an option to the right click context menu so that you can even submit files through Windows Explorer. The additional scanning tools like the running processes analyzer are efficient and helpful. The bottom line is, this application is very light on resources, it works exactly as advertised, and it’s incredibly useful. VirusTotal Uploader is one tool that will definitely remain installed on all of my computers and I recommend it to all VirusTotal fans.

Price: Free

Version reviewed: 1.1.1

Supported OS: Windows (XP, Vista, Seven, Eight)

Download size: 2.43MB

VirusTotal malware scan results: 0/43

Is it portable? No

PhrozenSoft VirusTotal Uploader homepage