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2023-10-03 13-56-29
Mohammad Iqbal Yusuf Sheikh
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VirusTotal API – Getting 401 Error with Public API Key (v3)
Question
Reactive
Application Type
Reactive
Service Studio Version
11.55.32 (Build 64283)

Hi All,

I am trying to integrate with VirusTotal API, but I keep receiving a 401 Unauthorized error.

  • I was earlier using the v2 API key, but since it is deprecated, I have switched to the v3 API key.
  • Currently, I am using the public API key.
  • My requests are being made to the v3 endpoints (e.g., https://www.virustotal.com/api/v3/...)
  • But the response is always 401 Unauthorized.

Could you please help me understand if the public API key supports v3 fully, or if there are specific limitations/configurations I need to be aware of?
Has anyone faced a similar issue after migrating from v2 to v3 API key?

Please find the screenshot for the refrence

 

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20 Aug 2025
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2026-01-28 16-57-48
Mihai Melencu
Champion

Hi @Mohammad Iqbal Yusuf Sheikh ,

The header for the API key needs to be named x-apikey  . Try changing the name and test again.

Changing the header name itself will cause VirusTotal to reject the request.

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20 Aug 2025
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2023-10-03 13-56-29
Mohammad Iqbal Yusuf Sheikh

Hi @Mihai Melencu ,

I updated the header to x-apikey and now I’m getting:

Seems like my public API key isn’t being accepted — does this mean the public key is invalid or not supported for v3 endpoints?

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20 Aug 2025
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2026-01-28 16-57-48
Mihai Melencu
Champion

 Replying to Mohammad Iqbal Yusuf Sheikh's comment on 20 Aug 2025 11:17:26

Your API Key should be supported by the endpoints, even if you don't have the premium plan.

I tested with mine and is working.

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20 Aug 2025
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2023-10-03 13-56-29
Mohammad Iqbal Yusuf Sheikh

 Replying to Mihai Melencu's comment on 20 Aug 2025 11:53:20

Hi @Mihai Melencu ,

Can you please confirm which VirusTotal API version you are using - v2 or v3?

Would it be possible to share the OML file, so I can cross check my setup?

Thanks a lot for your guidance, it really helped me.

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20 Aug 2025
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2026-01-28 16-57-48
Mihai Melencu
Champion

 Replying to Mohammad Iqbal Yusuf Sheikh's comment on 20 Aug 2025 13:32:08

I used the v3 endpoints. I created a sample for the Scan URL v3 endpoint (
https://www.virustotal.com/api/v3/urls ). 

Make sure to update the site property for the Api Key when testing.


VirusTotalAPI.oml
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20 Aug 2025
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