Google-owned VirusTotal has released a version of the VirusTotal uploader application that is compatible with Mac OS X. Previously the software was only available for Windows-based machines. VirusTotal Uploader works in conjunction with the VirusTotal web service to check files and links for malware. Google hopes that the release of the software for the Mac will help users more easily detect attacks on Apple’s platform. 

Google today announced the release of VirusTotal Uploader for OS X, allowing Mac users to upload suspicious files for scanning. You can download it now directly for OS X 10.8 and 10.9 from VirusTotal (8.52MB). For those who don’t know, VirusTotal Uploader for Windows is a popular tool for submitting suspicious files to the online scanning service VirusTotal. The process is as simple as right-clicking any file and selecting the relevant option from the context menu. Google acquired VirusTotal back in September 2012, promising VirusTotal will continue to operate independently. The company doesn’t hide its goal behind today’s release: “Hopefully this will lead to VirusTotal receiving more Mac applications, diving deeper into an increasingly targeted OS by attackers and allowing antivirus companies and researchers making use of VirusTotal’s backend to build stronger defenses against these threats.”