How to test your antivirus software
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You installed an antivirus, commercial or not, and you would like to know is he well configured, that he is active and that you are well protected. It is not recommended playing with fire and visiting dangerous websites to check can your antivirus detect any kind of virus. You would indeed be likely to expose your computer at the very important risk which can go until the compromising of your computer and the loss of data.
To test your antivirus in full safety, you can use the file of Eicar test. This file is detected as a virus by the antiviruses but it is not one, it does not contain any viral code. If the false virus is detected, it is that your antivirus is active and protects you.
1. To create this false virus, you need simply to create a file inside Windows. Click on the Start button, All Programs, Accessories then on Notepad.
2. Then recopy the following character string in the Notepad:
X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
Type above line of text within Notepad 3. Then save the file while clicking on File then Save as.
4. Unroll the “Save as type” list then select the option All files.
5. Add the name of file eicar.com in the zone File name. Choose the location where you want to save it (on Desktop) and then click on Save button.
6. If your antivirus is correctly activated, it must then alert you instantaneously presence of the Eicar virus.
Norton Internet Security did recognize Eicar virus immediately after I clicked on Save button If your antivirus does not see anything, than you have a problem. It could be because of two reasons: permanent protection is badly configured or there were some problems during antivirus installation. Then you have to read documentation of your software to correct this problem.
If the false virus is still not detected, you must then seriously think of changing anti-virus software.
Source: softwaretipspalace.com
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Nice one. This will remain stickied until I re-arrange the other sticky regarding the list of free software and place a link there to here instead.
For those interested about the Eicar test, read this:
http://www.viruslist.com/en/search?VN=EICAR-Test-File&referer=kav
And for the ones who are too lazy to even open up Notepad, I have uploaded a test "eicar.com" file here. Your AV should alert you with a prompt to block the download if it is configured to monitor HTTP traffic.
http://dl.latecomerx.com/eicar.com
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AVG took abt half a min to detect it.Or,after i launched the "application" did AVG notified me -.-"
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Originally posted by ceecookie:
AVG took abt half a min to detect it.Or,after i launched the "application" did AVG notified me -.-"
Quite ok. -
i click on the link to download eicar.com
after i click the 'Save' button, AVG immediately detected it as a virus O.O
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Originally posted by wishboy:
i click on the link to download eicar.com
after i click the 'Save' button, AVG immediately detected it as a virus O.O
it is a mocked up virus script.congratulations, your anti virus is running well.
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Originally posted by LatecomerX:
Nice one. This will remain stickied until I re-arrange the other sticky regarding the list of free software and place a link there to here instead.
...
This topic will be un-stickied as it is now linked from another sticky topic on a list of applications.
http://sgforums.com/forums/2250/topics/311148
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NOD32 detected it immediately.