---
updatedAt: 2025-12-23T13:13:54.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://virustotal.readme.io/llms.txt
---

# Authentication

For authenticating with the API you must include the `x-apikey` header with your personal API key in all your requests. Your API key can be found in your VirusTotal account user menu:

[block:image]
{
  "images": [
    {
      "image": [
        "https://files.readme.io/ddeb298-Screen_Shot_2019-10-17_at_3.17.04_PM.png",
        "Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 3.17.04 PM.png",
        267,
        207,
        "#fafafa"
      ]
    }
  ]
}
[/block]

Your API key carries all your privileges, so keep it secure and don't share it with anyone. Always use HTTPS instead of HTTP for making your requests.