Virustotal Redesign and new tools Sneak Peek
Virustotal, a service that Google acquired years ago, will get a facelift and new features soon according to a report on Bleeping Computer.
The redesign, which will go live in the coming months according to the report, is a work in progress. It has been specifically designed with responsiveness in mind, which means that the interface adjusts itself automatically to the screen size of the device that is used to access it.
A sneak peek version is available which anyone may use to test the new design and functionality. Without going into too much detail, there is a lot, and I mean a lot, of whitespace and large fonts on the site right now. It seems to be broken on Internet Explorer right now, but displays fine in modern browsers.
Take a look at the screenshot below to see the new start page of Virustotal.
One difference to the old Virustotal is that there is no URL tab anymore. It is unclear at this point if the feature is removed permanently, or if it is just not included in the demo.
You may run scans just like before; either drag and drop a file on to the interface, or use the file browser.
The scan results page has been redesigned as well. You get a one-sentence summary of the scan result, e.g. "one engine detected this file", or "no engines detected this file", which the old version did not have.
There is also a new "community score" metric listed on the page which seems to be based on community member votes (you can vote safe or unsafe).
Bleeping computer reports that Virustotal will get two new tools for Virustotal Intelligence users.
Virustotal Graph allows you to explore data visually. It produces a "the relationship between files, URLs, domains, IP addresses and other items encountered in an ongoing investigation" when run.
Virustotal Monitor is the second new feature that Google will integrate in Virustotal. It is designed for software developers, and enables them to upload their programs to the service to a "private storage space", to have it synced with the developer's software repository and get regular scans of the packages.
Virustotal informs the developer when one of the supported engines flags the software program so that it is easier to address the issue.
Tip: Read why it is better to recheck files on Virustotal
Verdict
I don't think that design is the most important aspect of a service like Virustotal. I do prefer compact over endless whitespace though, and think that the new design is blown out of proportions, at least on my full HD monitor.
The two new security features sound nice, especially if they will help software developers make sure that their programs are clean and that antivirus solutions don't detect false positives.
Users who dislike the new interface can use the Virustotal service through programs such as Process Explorer, CrowdInspect, or the official Virustotal Uploader.
Now You: What's your take on the redesign and new features?
Interesting. No doubt the ‘VirusTotal Uploader’ tool will remain functional or be updated, at least I hope considering I use it systematically to check new software before install. VirusTotal is definitely an oasis.
Wish they got rid of the annoying captchas.
The url scan is included in the search tab. It does have to be a full url preceeded by http:// otherwise a domain info search is performed. For a rescan, open the superfluous dropdown and click the “reload” icon.
At least the preview page isn’t too picky about the sent referrer.
Winja although a little overkill seems to be a better alternative to the official tool imho. It helps to streamline the process and give you your results cleanly within the software itself whilst also allowing you to optionally see the results online and to also keep your scan history locally too.
Definitely an improvement, although phrozen’s uploader has always been superior.
I think the redesign went “live” and I like it. I use virustotal to check homework files I need to grade, uploading files frequently. with their redesign, I have 2 fewer mouse clicks per assignment. also I might be imagining it but the scanning process feels faster (but I have no scientific way to verify this)…
the previous logo was better.
i do NOT support reducing all proper designs to solid lines and solid colors.
as for the website, thank GOD the advanced features were not stripped.
i also imagine that the scanning process is faster, looks like the tehnical side has been improved well and thats good. but we must keep in mind that we are not computers and instead of adapting to them, we should keep the wonderful complexity and potencial of our minds. the center of man’s creativity is not on the screen, but in their imagination, that is limitless. one should take a little break from computers when designing as the countless limitations of the programming languages and this forced environment can throw you off. the foundation is far from perfect and that is exactly why software designers are there. this design looks to me like it was made by a programmer and not an artist. it has its good sides, but overall it strays way too far in the direction of code. it needs quite a lot of correction from the artistic side.