Posted 11 September 2002

In recent weeks we’ve come across a number of systems where the anti-virus program hasn’t actually been checking for virus. Fortunately there is a web site that provides a test program. The test should be recognised by your anti-virus system when you try to download the file, if it isn’t then your defences aren’t as strong as they should be.

Note that when you download it you should get a warning about the virus. Tell the virus checker to continue or ignore the messages. It won’t like this and you should delete the eicar test file once you’re finished, or your anti-virus will just keep nagging you.

You can get the test from the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research.