How do I make sure my Antivirus Software is protecting me?

You are a computer user concerned about malware, you have antivirus software, but you do not know if it is protecting you. What do you do?

One thing you could do is find a sample of malware and then scan the file and see if your antivirus program detects it. But if your program does not detect it you are infected with malware that may have already done its work to your computer.

Your second option is to buy the most expensive protection out there. because if it's expensive it has to be good.... right? Sorry, but no. Cost is not an indication by any means of how good an antivirus program is.

Your last option is to try to download a file on the internet called the EICAR Standard Anti-Virus Test File. This is a harmless file that has become the industry standard for testing antivirus software without actually infecting the computer with malware.

So, what's it going to be? The Test File? Excellent choice. But first, lets talk a little be about this test file.

This file was made by the European Institute For Computer Antivirus Research. This organization was founded in 1991, and it aims to further antivirus research and improve antivirus programs out there today. The file was developed in collaboration with the Computer AntiVirus Research Organization (CARO).

The file will not harm your computer in any way, shape, or form if your antivirus program does not pick it up after a scan.

Let me state for the record that this test file is NOT malware and will not harm any computer if downloaded. Please do not claim or report that I am distributing malware.

Go to This website and download eicar.com using the http protocol. Your antivirus should give off alarms if it is protecting you in real time. If your antivirus program is not designed to protect you in real time, you can run a custom scan for the location of the test file.

After detection, your antivirus program will either delete the file or quarantine it depending on your exact settings.