How to Check the Performance of Antivirus?

It's been a long time since I discussed about PC security last time. Because I've talked aboutMSE and Windows Defender. If you use any of the two in your PC, I believe you don't need any other security tools to protect your PC. But if you use any third party security tools or if you've any doubt about your current security software, you can check its performance by a sample virus! 

Windows users often purchase security software ie. Norton, Kaspersky, Bit Defender etc. Many of them use trial versions to protect the system. But how much safe you are? Are these tools really working for you? Can these tools detect viruses or worms? Let's check it! 

1. Go to Run by Pressing Start + R
2. Type Notepad and hit Enter
3. Copy and Paste the following code on notepad
4. Now Save the file as Virus.exe 
5. Scan the file with your antivirus

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

If your security tool is strong and if it has real time protection system, then you don't need to scan at all. It should be able to detect the file as virus automatically. If it doesn't detect the file immediately, then scan it. After scanning the file, if you see that your antivirus does nothing, remove the antivirus immediately. Because you're not safe with non performing security program. Rather it slows down your operating system. 


I've also checked this code by Windows Defender. Defender is able to detect this file immediately. Even if you save the file with .txt extension, defender can detect it. The background scanning system of defender is so strong. 

I believe Microsoft Security Essentials will do the same job as Defender. Both have tight security system. If your antivirus doesn't work well, you should use either MSE or Defender. Defender comes with Windows 8 by default. But if you're using previous versions of Windows, you can use MSE at free of cost.



Defender reports this file as: 

• Item Name: Virus:DOS/EICAR_Test_File

• Category: Virus

• Alert Level: Severe

• Description: This program is dangerous and replicates by infecting other files

• Recommended Action: Remove this software immediatley