How to test your antivirus software functioning properly?

It is sure that we are all using different kind of antivirus software, free or paid, for our computer’s security. But how can we know how well this antivirus software protects us. It is very dangerous to visit such a malicious web site to test our software.

To test our antivirus software in full safety, we need to create a false virus file Eicar. This file is detected as a virus by the antivirus software, but it is not like one, it does not contain any viral code. If the false virus is detected, it is that your antivirus software is active and protects you.

• To create this virus open Notepad
• Copy the following character string in the Notepad

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

• Name this file as aicar.com and save it
• If your antivirus is correctly activated, it must then alert you instantaneously the presence of the Eicar virus.
• Then ask your antivirus software to remove this file.

If the antivirus does not detect anything, then there might be a problem. It could be because of two reasons: permanent protection is badly configured or there were some problems during antivirus installation. Look in to these and correct it.

And if the false virus is still not detected, you must then seriously think of changing anti-virus software.

In my case, I tested this with Avast antivirus software. Avast detected and removed it completely.

Source : http://jayaprakashkv.blogspot.com

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