Test your antivirus software

Want to be really sure your antivirus software is working? Here’s a simple trick to put it to the test.

EICAR has created the EICAR Standard Anti-Virus Test File to test the response of antivirus software.

The anti-virus test file is a harmless string of text that all antivirus software is set to detect and remove. You can create it yourself to test your antivirus software.

Create an anti-virus test file

Here’s an easy way to create an anti-virus test file:

1. Open Notepad from the Start menu (Start, All Programs, Accessories, Notepad).
2. Paste the string of text below in the empty notepad document.X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

   

3. Save the document anywhere on your computer.
4. Your antivirus software should catch it and possibly remove it immediately.

What if my antivirus software didn’t catch it?

1. Make sure you followed the directions above exactly.
2. Make sure real-time protection is turned on.
3. Perform a full scan and see if it catches it that way. If it does, you really need to make sure real-time protection is turned on.
4. Look into getting better antivirus software. Use Microsoft Security Essentials. It’s free, made by Microsoft, and really good.

Discussion

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