Test your antivirus installation

Now, now don't get calm after you have installed some fancy new antivirus. Let me ask you a question, "Is your antivirus working as it is supposed to?" . Now, you probably are thinking this guy has some screws loose. I am not joking around. There are hundreds and thousands of antivirus out there and all of them promote themselves by saying stuff like "You won't catch a virus" or so on.

So, here I have a test, a simple test to check whether what you have installed is the real deal or not. This test was actually created by EICAR to test an antivirus.  Don't worry, I am not saying go ahead and download a virus. Nope, all I am saying is:

• Open Notepad.
• Copy and paste: X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
• Click the File menu and choose Save as.
• Change the Save as Type to All files.
• Name the file eicar.com

Now, if your antivirus is working it should stop you from saving this file. If not, then don't worry, just tell your antivirus to scan the folder containing this file. Your antivirus should be able to find this file. If you didn't get it this time, it is better for you to install a new antivirus.

Thanks for reading and as always please comment.