Test Your AntiVirus Software

[Shannon]

Want to see if you AV software is awake?

So you have an anti-virus tool. How can you test that it works?

This is a good question and it is wise to familiarize yourself with how your anti-virus software behaves when it detects a virus, before it really happens. One quick way to do this is to use the "EICAR" Anti-Virus Test File. This is a test file that will cause no damage to your system and still allow you to test if anti-virus tool is awake.

Here are some steps:

1. Open a text editor (e.g. Notepad)
2. Enter the following text in it:
   

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

3. Save the file as "EICAR.COM" on your desktop.
4. Open DOS and try to execute this .COM file (or simply double-click the file on Desktop)

If your anti-virus software is working properly, it will warn you that a virus has been detected when you attempt to run the .COM file.

To be double-sure, zip this file, and then try double-clicking on the ZIP file to see if your AV tool recognized viruses inside ZIP files. You can also send this file to yourself as an attachment, just to verify if your AV tool has command of email cleanliness.

- From Sniptools

 

[xAkirax2004]

Well, mine is quick to the draw. Found it immediately after I saved my file.

Running: NAV 2003.

 

[Shannon]

Originally posted by xAkirax2004
Well, mine is quick to the draw. Found it immediately after I saved my file.

Running: NAV 2003.

Same here.

Running: ESET Nod32

 

[Boost Lee]

I'm using AVG 7.0 and it worked with the quickness!

 

[Klostrophobic]

Pfft. Antivirus protection. That's for the weak.

I'm not running anything. I scan every week and It's never found one.

 

[Super-Supra]

Originally posted by Klostrophobic
Pfft. Antivirus protection. That's for the weak.

I'm not running anything. I scan every week and It's never found one.

Ditto, other than the w.32 blaster worm, I got a week before it was on the news.

 

[Klostrophobic]

I'd have real-time protection, but my computer is too ****ty to have something running all the time. It barely runs with absolutely no programs running.

 

[Shannon]

Originally posted by Super-Supra
Ditto, other than the w.32 blaster worm, I got a week before it was on the news.

Remind we to write in my notebook:

'Laugh when your PC crashes'

 

[Super-Supra]

Well, after looking in my Programs, I see Virus Scanning software called PC-Cillin 2000. Is it any good?

 

[Kobayashi]

What happens if your AV doesn't ctach it and it executes? My AV caught as soon as I saved it.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I don't have anti-virus software and never have. I have had my computer since 1999 and as of yet have had no problems with any virus.

If I don't open weird attachments, don't download weird things, stick to certified sites and generally use my head than I don't see why I need an AV program.

 

[ExigeEvan]

just don't get Yahoo messenger. I got the Yaha Virus off it. Thats the onlty reason i got it, and the fact it came in a bundle with my firewall, and i needed that as I have Broad band. Norton Antivirus from symantec is what I have.

 

[halfracedrift]

Holy damn! That was quick.. I saved it, and then it got detected right away. No actions taken.

 

[toyomatt84]

Definitely picked it up the second I saved it, god bless AVG.

 

[Giancarlo]

Mine opened; i knew i didn't have AntiVirus...

Where can i get this "AVG"? Is it free?

 

[Super-Supra]

It's free and it's here.

For me AVG, found the virus in it as a .txt document, but when It was a .rar, it found no viruses. I'm confused about that.

 

[Giancarlo]

Thanks.

 

[Acidman]

Cool, Got it right after I saved it.

 

[Oliver DePlace]

It wouldn't save.

NAV has discovered a virus.
NAV has denied access.

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