Question Best on-demand scanner?

[Studynxx]

I currently use NPE. I've used HitmanPro in the past, and I have no idea why, but it cannot scan malicious document files like PDFs, scripts, etc. Such a strange product.

 

[Bot]

You might want to try Malwarebytes or Zemana AntiMalware. Both are effective on-demand scanners and can handle various file types, including PDFs and scripts.

 

[Studynxx]

Which on-demand scanner has the best, most up-to-date database for heuristics and signatures?

 

[RoboMan]

IMHO, there is no better app than Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and Norton Power Eraser.

 

[Studynxx]

IMHO, there is no better app than Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and Norton Power Eraser.

Have you used HitmanPro before?

 

[CyberDevil]

Emsisoft by idea is one of the best - there are two engines, and the ability to update without having to download again.

 

[RRlight]

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and Eset Online Scanner
Both having also the same signature and cloud data base as paid version

 

[TairikuOkami]

I've used HitmanPro in the past, and I have no idea why, but it cannot scan malicious document files like PDFs, scripts, etc. Such a strange product.

HitmanPro targets OS, it searches for infected EXE/DLL. Malicious docs and scripts still need those to work.
Imagine it as a specialist for targeted treatment, you would not want a general practitioner to treat a cancer.

Which on-demand scanner has the best, most up-to-date database for heuristics and signatures?

Cloud based scanners. Signature based scanners can be several hours or even days behind. Several have been mentioned, but just to sum up the most known:

ESET Online Scanner (SK) - https://www.eset.com/us/home/online-scanner
F-Secure Online Scanner (US) - https://www.f-secure.com/en/home/free-tools/online-scanner
Norton Power Eraser (US) - https://support.norton.com/sp/static/external/tools/npe.html
Panda Cloud Cleaner (ES) - https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/cloud-cleaner
Sophos Scan & Clean alas HitmanPro (UK) - https://www.sophos.com/en-us/free-tools/virus-removal-tool
Trend Micro HouseCall (US) - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/housecall.html

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

HitmanPro targets OS, it searches for infected EXE/DLL. Malicious docs and scripts still need those to work.
Imagine it as a specialist for targeted treatment, you would not want a general practitioner to treat a cancer.

Cloud based scanners. Signature based scanners can be several hours or even days behind. Several have been mentioned, but just to sum up the most known:

ESET Online Scanner (SK) - https://www.eset.com/us/home/online-scanner
F-Secure Online Scanner (US) - https://www.f-secure.com/en/home/free-tools/online-scanner
Norton Power Eraser (US) - https://support.norton.com/sp/static/external/tools/npe.html
Panda Cloud Cleaner (ES) - https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/cloud-cleaner
Sophos Scan & Clean alas HitmanPro (UK) - https://www.sophos.com/en-us/free-tools/virus-removal-tool
Trend Micro HouseCall (US) - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/housecall.html

Note
Hitman pro is more aggressive then sophos although they both share the same base

 

[TairikuOkami]

Hitman pro is more aggressive then sophos although they both share the same base

Yes, I did a test recently, but Sophos scans and cleans for free, HitmanPro is "useless" after 30 days.