Test your Anti-Virus Software!

BMW Power · 01-13-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Creating A Test Virus:

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.

First, open Notepad. Then copy and paste into it the text on the line below. (It should all be on one line.)

X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

Then select File, Save, select All Files for the file type, then save the file as eicar.com.

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.

Explanation:

The file eicar.com you have created is completely safe. It is not a virus. 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.

Conclusion:

If your anti-virus product should fail to prevent you from running the file, it will simply display the text "EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE" in a DOS box. No harm will have been done, but you should probably consider using a better anti-virus product, because if it had been a real virus, your computer would by now be infected!

Guys, I just tried this out and Im happy to say my AV is working. I would highly advise you guys to try it out as well.

btw, Im using NOD 32. Definitely the best AV I have ever used.

shonguiz · 01-13-2008, 04:36 PM

It works.

Alfie · 01-14-2008, 11:45 AM

Sure, this may prove if it works but there are still a few viruses that can pass undetected, unfourtunately.

mercmad · 01-14-2008, 02:36 PM

mine works
Avast! FTW

The Emperor · 01-15-2008, 07:12 AM

Works!

NOD32 FTW!

vedjo01 · 01-15-2008, 02:13 PM

My AV works..

PS - I´m using Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition..IMO,it rules..I had many probs with NOD32 and Norton Antivirus..

MikeJ · 01-15-2008, 02:57 PM

I'm using F-Secure, and it works, but I knew that already.

BMW_Owner · 01-16-2008, 04:52 AM

WHats the best free to download anti spyware software??? anyone recommend anything???

mercmad · 01-16-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW_Owner

WHats the best free to download anti spyware software??? anyone recommend anything???

Avast! works great for me

P.S.
Just search avast in google, go on their website, downloads and get the free home version

BMW Power · 01-19-2008, 10:06 AM

for spyware I use spybot. Its also free and works well for me.

01-13-2008, 04:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
shonguiz Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,469 Thanks: 179 Thanked 293 Times in 176 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! It works.

01-14-2008, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Alfie Aficionado Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: La Svezia! Posts: 4,855 My Mood: Thanks: 833 Thanked 866 Times in 525 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! Sure, this may prove if it works but there are still a few viruses that can pass undetected, unfourtunately.

01-14-2008, 02:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
mercmad Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 196 Thanks: 32 Thanked 89 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! mine works Avast! FTW

01-15-2008, 07:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Emperor Bionic Jive Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Where noone has gone before... Posts: 9,149 My Mood: Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 1,575 Times in 954 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! Works! NOD32 FTW!

01-15-2008, 02:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
vedjo01 Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Zagreb Posts: 292 My Mood: Thanks: 143 Thanked 185 Times in 88 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! My AV works.. PS - I´m using Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition..IMO,it rules..I had many probs with NOD32 and Norton Antivirus..

01-15-2008, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
MikeJ Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oulu Posts: 2,051 My Mood: Thanks: 168 Thanked 576 Times in 310 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! I'm using F-Secure, and it works, but I knew that already.

01-16-2008, 04:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
BMW_Owner Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 193 My Mood: Thanks: 36 Thanked 86 Times in 41 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! WHats the best free to download anti spyware software??? anyone recommend anything???

01-19-2008, 10:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
BMW Power Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Swaziland Posts: 460 Thanks: 173 Thanked 328 Times in 136 Posts	Re: Test your Anti-Virus Software! for spyware I use spybot. Its also free and works well for me.

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