VirusTotal's main characteristics are:
- Free, independent service.
- Runs multiple antivirus engines.
- Runs multiple file characterization tools.
- Real time automatic updates of virus signatures.
- Detailed results from each antivirus engine.
- Runs multiple web site inspection toolbars.
- Real time global statistics.
- Analysis automation API.
- Online malware research community.
- Desktop applications (VTUploader, VTzilla) for interacting with the service