Have you ever wondered if your anti-virus software is really working? Would you like to see what happens when it detects a virus? Here's a
safe way to test your computer's virus protection that doesn't require you to have a real virus.
How to create your own TEST Virus:
First, open "notepad". Then copy and paste into it the text on the line below. (It should all be on one line.)
Code:
X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
Then save the file and save it as
eicar.com. The result should look exactly like the screenshot below:
Your anti-virus software may prevent you from saving the file as eicar.com, which is a sign that it is working effectively. If it doesn't raise an alert, try scanning the folder where you saved eicar.com. To see what happens if you try to run a file containing a virus, double-click eicar.com to open it. If your anti-virus software does not raise any alerts at the above mentioned file then your antivirus software is no-good and you are not safe from threats.
If the virus is detected it will display the message "EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!" in a DOS-window.
WHAT!? Infect my own computer? Are you crazy?
No I am not crazy
, the above mentioned file is not a virus, it is simply a test file, a virus wannabe.It is a standard test file developed by the European Institute for Computer Anti-virus Research (EICAR). All anti-virus products are programmed to detect this file as if it was a real virus. Therefore you can safely use it to test whether your anti-virus software works, without fear of infecting your computer.
Source of this and many other articles:
SoftMall's Articles
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