Microsoft just launched Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSS), an on-demand anti-malware scanner. This now brings the anti-malware tools available to the Windows home user to 3, counting Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT).
MSS is a great tool for those using 3rd party antivirus software on their Windows, but who at times may want to confirm their security status with another antivirus tool. That is where MSS can help out. Over the last few months, MSE has built a powerful reputation for itself as one of the finest antivirus software for the Windows home user, and its the very same scanning, detection and removal capabilities of MSE, which have been ported to MSS.
However, 68 MB is quite a sizable download, for a one-time (well it goes dead on 10 days anyway) on-demand scanner, esp in countries, where download speeds are not good.
Moreover at times, one may want to just check up a file or two. In such a case having an online scanner would be the preferred solutions.
Most reputed security software companies have online malware scanners which can scan for a particular file or scan the entire computer. Then there are also other online malware scanners which use multiple antivirus engines.
Microsoft too should try and step into this space, given the fact that it already has a ready infrastructure in place. The online scan should be able to scan either for a single file or scan the entire computer for malware.
Such a website would definitely be very useful for Windows users!
Well, lets hope that Microsoft finds some value in this suggestion. I personally would love to see such an online scanner from Microsoft now!
What do you think?
