STEEL OS_
Built into Steel OS

Steel Shield

Virus protection that works quietly and tells you the truth.

Free in every copy of Steel OS. No subscription, no renewal pop-ups, no account, no ads. It checks what comes into your PC, keeps anything suspicious where it can't run, and explains what it found in plain English.

Get Steel OSHow to use it
Steel Shield logo
What it does

On guard without getting in the way

Downloads

Every file that lands in Downloads is checked within seconds, by itself. On from the first start.

USB drives

Plug one in and Steel Shield asks Scan this drive? Programs, installers and Office files with macros are checked first.

Every Tuesday

A full check of your home folder at the lowest priority. If you're playing a game, it waits.

Every hour

The list of known threats updates itself, from ClamAV and Cisco Talos. Nothing for you to install.

Right-click

Scan with Steel Shield on any file or folder in the file manager.

Your call

Nothing is ever deleted behind your back. Suspicious files go to quarantine, and Restore brings them back.

If it finds something

Plain English, not a code name

Most scanners say Win.Trojan.Agent-123 and leave you to look it up. Steel Shield says what it is, where it was, what it did about it, and what you should do next. The technical name is still there under Details.

Trust the file, like a game mod or a tool you know? Click Restore and choose Always allow this file. It won't be flagged again.

Honest status

Never a green tick that lies

Steel Shield shows the state of your PC's protection at a glance. If the definitions are out of date or a part has stopped, it says so plainly and offers Fix now, instead of a reassuring tick.

You are protected

Virus definitionsUpdated 12 minutes ago
Download checkingOn
Last full checkTuesday, nothing found
QuarantineEmpty
Light on your PC

Runs only when there's work to do

  • The scanner starts for a check, then exits. When there's nothing to check, it isn't running.
  • Every check runs at the lowest priority, so your apps and games come first.
  • The weekly check waits while a game is running.
  • Developer folders like .git and node_modules aren't watched as you work; the weekly check still covers them.
One layer of several

Backed by the rest of Steel OS

  • The system files are read-only, so a download can't quietly change the operating system.
  • Every Steel OS update is signed and checked before it installs.
  • Apps from the App Store run in their own sandbox.
  • Secure Boot stays on.
Questions

Straight answers

Does Linux even need antivirus?

Less than Windows does, because a download can't change Steel OS's system. But files still arrive by download, email and USB stick, and some are aimed at the Windows PCs you share them with. Steel Shield catches those before you pass them on.

Is it really free?

Yes. No trial, no premium tier, no upsells. It comes with Steel OS and updates with it.

Where do the virus definitions come from?

From ClamAV, the open-source antivirus engine maintained by Cisco Talos and used by mail servers and companies worldwide. Steel Shield fetches new definitions every hour.

Will it slow down my games?

Checks run at the lowest priority, the scanner isn't running between checks, and the weekly check waits while you play.

Can I turn it off?

Yes. Open Steel Shield and turn download checking off.

Does it send my files anywhere?

No. Everything is checked on your own PC. Steel Shield has no account and sends nothing about you or your files.

How do I check it works?

Download the harmless EICAR test file from eicar.org. Within seconds Steel Shield moves it to quarantine and tells you. The full steps are in Steel Shield help.