Known Vulnerabilities Scanner
The SafetyDetectives vulnerability tool is the only free online scanner that quickly checks your PC and devices for known vulnerabilities (CVE Database). Once the scan is complete, it will explain how to fix any issues that may have been detected.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this vulnerability scanner do?
This online tool works with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database to make sure your software is updated with the latest security patches.
The CVE database contains the world’s largest database of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. When IT professionals find and fix a vulnerability issue within a program, they report it to the CVE database so that all users can keep their software up-to-date.
The SafetyDetectives vulnerability tool scans your operating system’s settings and browser against the information in the CVE database, and it recommends security patches based on those vulnerabilities.
2. How do I know if my computer is infected with a virus?
Classic symptoms of a virus are:
- Computer freezes
- Slow performance
- Popup error messages
- Application crashes
Many cybercriminals create viruses which run silently in the background — stealing credit card numbers, bank account passwords, and other private data without you even knowing. It’s possible that you might not even experience any of these “classic virus symptoms”.
While online tools like this one can help identify software security flaws, they are unable to detect and remove viruses from a computer system. For that, you’ll need an antivirus program.
3. How do I get rid of malware?
4. What's the best way to stay protected from malware?
The first thing you should do is learn the basics of how to keep your computer secure (Mac users go here; Windows 10 users go here).
This means that you need to have an antivirus installed, you need to stay away from dangerous websites, and you need to stay up-to-date with the latest security patches for both your OS and your system’s applications.
5. Do I need to pay for an antivirus?
When it comes to antivirus software, you get what you pay for! No business model supports “free” products — you’re always going to “pay” somehow.
Most internet security companies which have free antivirus software only provide very basic protection to their free users. They’ll eventually ask for you to pay for an upgrade before they’ll provide you with complete antivirus coverage. Some companies — like Avast/AVG — might even steal your browsing data and sell it to advertisers as compensation for providing a free product.
That said, there are some decent antivirus programs available for free. But free antiviruses should only be used to secure systems that don’t have a lot of sensitive information — passwords, banking info, photos/videos, etc. It’s always best to not deal with the limitations of a free antivirus and instead download a low-cost premium antivirus like Norton 360.