Test if Your Antivirus is For Real

The EICAR test file (official name: EICAR Standard Anti-Virus Test File) is a file, developed by the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research, to test the response of computer antivirus (AV) programs.

EICAR
likens the use of a live virus to test AV software to setting a fire in
a trashcan to test a fire alarm, and promotes the EICAR test file as a
safe alternative.

The file is simply a text file of either 68 or
70 bytes that is a legitimate executable file called a COM file that can
run by Microsoft operating systems and some work-alikes, including
OS/2.


The Eicar test string reads:
Code:X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*


You can copy that string to notepad and save it as either as a .com or .txt extension with any name that you want.

Your
antivirus should detect it as a malicious file (although it's not) and
delete, neutralise, disinfect or whatever you call it.


Alternatively you can go to this link:

http://www.eicar.org/download/eicar.com.txt

Your antivirus should block the site like my Kaspersky Internet Security: