HOW TO TEST WHETHER YOUR ANTIVIRUS IS ACTIVE

How do I test a virus scanner (Antivirus)?

Most of us have one kind of antivirus or the other been installed in our computer system but cannot tell whether the antivirus is working (active) or not. Some of us, when installed antivirus in our system, we think that we have got it all, forgetting that it may one day stop working - may be due to one reason or the other, especially when you don't update it regularly or due to virus attack. But don't worry I will tell you how you are going to check whether your antivirus is working or not.

The below steps will help you create an EICAR test virus that will help identify if the anti-virus program you have installed is working properly or not.

Note: This test virus is non-viral and will not damage your computer in any way. It is only meant as a method of testing your virus scanner.

How to create the an EICAR test virus

1. Create a new text file using Notepad or any other text editor.

2. Open the text file and enter the below code as the text of the file.

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

3. After the above code has been entered, save the file as an .exe file instead of a .txt file. For example, name the file test.exe instead of test.txt. Alternatively you can save the file as a .txt file and then rename the file after it has been saved.

Note: In order for this to work you must have Windows showing the file extensions. By default Windows may be trying to save the file as a .txt file even if you end your file with .exe. For example, the file may be saved as test.exe.txt instead of test.exe. If after saving or renaming the file the icon still looks like a notepad, it is not being saved as an executable file.

 

4. After the file has been saved, the anti-virus should immediately prompt for action (i.e for deletion when detected) similar to one of the two figures shown below. If you do not receive a prompt try highlighting the file, and then right-click and choose the option to scan the file with your scanner.

If after following all of the above steps you do not receive any type of warning, your virus scanner (antivirus) is either not enabled or not working properly. We highly recommend either re-installing the installed antivirus or trying an alternative antivirus.

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Best Regards,

Ilechukwu Ikedi G.

Director (I.K D-BEST TECHNICS NIGERIA)