What are some good "scan on demand only" malware detectors?

[CharmCityCrab]

So, many people are now running Microsoft's free default anti-virus on more recent systems. Others run things like AVG, which turn out to be malware themselves, selling your data to advertising companies. Others may pay for an anti-virus.

But, as we all know, no one anti-virus is going to be perfect, and you can't really run two or more at once without slowing down your machine tremendously and possibly having them get in the way of each other and reduce functionality to the point where two isn't even as good as one.

So, my thought was, what are so good safe reliable free programs that don't have any active protection or running processes when not actively scanning and removing viruses at the user's request? Programs where you can click the icon from your desktop to go into and run a scan and remove malware, but which otherwise don't do anything. Scan on demand, basically. Things that, when you have a suspected virus, malware, keylogger or whatever, that your antivirus doesn't catch, may be able to find it. Just an added layer to pull out on a rainy day that isn't going to mess with your normal web browsing or antivirus unless specifically called upon.

Also, are those type of things typically good protection against stuff like keyloggers and what not? Sometimes I'm not 100% sure on what type of malicious software these scanners "cover".

[megaman]

The most powerful is Emsisoft's Anti-Malware. They changed their layout as to 30-day trial, but if the 30 days run out, you can change it to the freeware.
Plus, you can disable the scanners during the 30 day trial phase.

Off-topic:
Back when I tested the programs, under free:
Avira was the most powerful, followed by Panda, Bitdefender, then avast!.

After checking the latest reviews, it's now Panda, Bitdefender, Avira, and avast!.

When I do a Boot-Time Scan with avast!, avast! blows the other antivirus programs out of the water.

As for my current AV is MSE, since avast! keeps throwing me the nagging "Install Chrome," and Panda, and Avira, throw nagging pop-ups.

I might get rid of MSE, since it throws updates with Windows Updates. MSE should auto-update it's definitions because I am not Windows Updating daily.

[dark_moon]

I use ClamWin which is OpenSource and a On-Demand-Scanner what you search for.
Don't confuse with ClamWin AV which is the On-Access-Scanner version.

And sorry, megaman but Emisofts Anti-Malware isn't good. Its slow, even more slower updates and have strange results.
The best in my mind is https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware - but you need to watch if you install the free version. Don't activate the pro lizens if you don't want to pay for it. The free version have all what you need.

[megaman]

And sorry, megaman but Emisofts Anti-Malware isn't good. Its slow, even more slower updates and have strange results.

Best thing I've used since 2005 and it's won many tests over Malwarebytes, plus Malwarebytes isn't that good in my eyes.

ClamWin was said to be just as powerful as Kaspersky, I've even used it before.
The problem is that it found Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Panda Antivirus as False Positives and removed Emsisoft.

At least we both agree with ClamWin, plus if we wanted On-Demand with ClamWin, we can use Sentinel.

[dark_moon]

At least we both agree with ClamWin, plus if we wanted On-Demand with ClamWin, we can use Sentinel.

Yep, Clam Sentinel is a great extension, if On-Access is needed.

[ron_1]

I use the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. It is on-demand only, so it doesn't interfere with the usual AV's (of which I currently use Avast). I've read only good things about Malwarbytes AM. Well, at least the 1.75 version, which is what I use.

[hackerman1]

And sorry, megaman but Emisofts Anti-Malware isn't good. Its slow, even more slower updates and have strange results.

Not good !?
I suggest you take a really good look at the testresult from AV-comparatives, AV-Test, VirusBulletin etc.
Emisoft AntiMalware has got excellent results in those tests.
And, it´s not "slow", the malware-scanning is fast, and it does not slow down your computer.

How can i know that ?
Guess what, i´ve have used EAM for years....
And i have read every testreport from all the major testers, going back several years, i know how good it is.
It also uses very little memory, i have 2 processes running right now, using 948 + 2304 kB = 3,252 MB.
And that is with real-time protection active.

Yes, there have been some problems over the years,
someting that is not uncommon when a new major version is released...
But Emsisoft has excellent support and they fix such bugs quickly.

[hackerman1]

But, as we all know, no one anti-virus is going to be perfect, and you can't really run two or more at once without slowing down your machine tremendously and possibly having them get in the way of each other and reduce functionality to the point where two isn't even as good as one.

You can use 2 antimalware-programs together, both with realtime-protection active, if you choose the right programs.
Emsisoft AntiMalware (EAM) and MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM),
are as far as i know the only programs that works together with other programs.

For best performance "mutual exclusions" is recommended though.
EAM and MBAM not only works well with other programs, they also work well together.
I know...

I suggest you get EAM as "on demand", and why not also MBAM ?
They don´t cost you anything...

[jumba]

Off-topic:
How can the malware scanners keep track of all known malware?
https://www.av-test.org/en/statistics/malware/

[NotFunny]

Malwarebytes
SuperAntiSpyware .. do full Custom scans, select all options, with both.
AdwCleaner
Junkware Removal Tool

Run them all every couple of weeks, and always have WinPatrol running.

+ For those not using their AV..ESET Online Scanner is excellent

[opera1217b1863]

I'd rater use the VirusTotal service to scan a new/unknown piece of code.

[hackerman1]

I'd rater use the VirusTotal service to scan a new/unknown piece of code.

You can´t use VirusTotal to scan the whole computer...

[opera1217b1863]

To make the whole computer scan properly - one should use a reputable scanner (i.e. Kaspersky) launched off a LiveCD.

[dark_moon]

But Virustotal is nice to scan downloaded files.
And with Microsoft's ProzessExplorer and Autoruns all prozesses are scanned with Virustotal. Nice Feature.