12/14/2000

Problem: How do I create a fake virus for testing anti-virus software installations?

Cause:  The European Institute of Computer Anti-Virus Research, EICAR, center developed a standard to help users test anti-virus software.  This standard has been incorporated into most anti-virus software as the EICAR.com virus.

Note: This a harmless file.  IT IS NOT A VIRUS!   Most anti-virus packages recognize this text file as a virus for testing only.

Solution:

To create the EICAR Standard Anti-Virus Test File, do the following: 

1. Highlight and copy the following line of code:

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

2. Open any ASCII text editor (Notepad or DOS editor) and paste the copied code into the editor.
3. Save the file as EICAR.COM. 
4. Save the file and scan it on the test machine or e-mail the file to the test machine.
5. Delete the file when done testing.