This wikiHow teaches you how to test your computer's antivirus program for fake viruses, and how to use poor internet browsing and security habits to infect your computer. Keep in mind that inserting a virus into your computer is extremely risky, and it can cause your computer to malfunction, lose personal data, and even get you in trouble with the law.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Virus Tester
Step 1. Make sure you have activated the antivirus program
To detect a test virus, you must run an antivirus program on your computer. Keep in mind that the test virus is not actually a virus so it is not harmful to the computer.
- On Windows computers, there is a program called Windows Defender which will be active by default.
- On Mac computers, use a third-party antivirus such as AVG or Malwarebytes.
Step 2. Visit the EICAR website
Run a web browser on your computer and visit https://www.eicar.org/. EICAR is an information technology (IT) security company from Europe whose one of its programs is to assist the IT department to test network security.
Step 3. Click the ANTI-MALWARE TESTFILE tab
This dark blue banner is at the top of the page. After you do this, the EICAR disclaimer page will be opened.
Read the disclaimer and explain how to use it before continuing so you know how to use the test virus
Step 4. Click DOWNLOAD
It's a purple button in the upper-left corner of the page. Clicking on it will take you to the EICAR test file download page.
Step 5. Scroll down the screen to the “Download” section
It's at the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Click the eicar.com link
You can click the link eicar.com in the "Download area using the standard protocol http" or "Download area using the secure, SSL enabled protocol https" section. The file will start downloading to your computer.
Step 7. Wait for the file to finish downloading
You may have to wait a few seconds before the file starts downloading. If the file is already in the "Downloads" folder on your computer, you will most likely receive a pop-up warning that there is a malicious file on your computer.
If you are running Windows and have activated Windows Defender, the file will not be able to be downloaded. You can circumvent this prohibition by re-downloading the file several times in succession, clicking on the pop-up notification from Windows Defender, clicked on the file name in the " Current threats " section, checked the " Allow on device " box, clicked Start actions, and clicking Allow when requested.
Step 8. Perform an antivirus scan
If the file has not been detected by the antivirus software, perform a manual scan from within the antivirus program. Doing so will find the file, quarantine it, and delete it from the computer.
If your antivirus still can't detect the file, use another antivirus program
Method 2 of 2: Accidentally Infecting Computer
Step 1. Back up the computer
Viruses can cause a computer to crash. So, it's a good idea to back up the files you have on your computer to an external hard drive.
Step 2. Make sure the computer is in a safe environment
Viruses are designed to spread, and testing for viruses on computers connected to the internet is irresponsible. Make sure you do this in a controlled environment so that the virus under test doesn't spread to other computers that you don't want to infect.
- Also make sure that the computer does not store important information (eg credit card numbers, copies of ID cards, payment records, etc.) in case a virus can copy the information stored on the hard disk.
- Make sure the computer under test is not connected to the internet when you open the infected file.
- To be on the safe side, perform virus testing on a virtual machine on a physical computer that is not connected to the internet.
Step 3. Understand the legalities and risks
Infecting a computer can compromise personal information and data, and if your computer is connected to the internet or other computers on the network, you can infect other computers.
- In most countries, it is illegal to intentionally infect other people's computers.
- If you want to test your antivirus program, we recommend that you use the test file as described in the previous method.
Step 4. Connect the computer to the internet directly
Most routers contain a hardware firewall to help protect the computer. To make the computer more vulnerable, connect the modem to the computer directly via an ethernet cable without going through a security router.
Step 5. Disable the firewall on the computer
The firewall service acts as a deterrent against internal threats. By turning it off, you will allow foreign programs to access the computer.
Occasionally, unauthorized users can access your network if the computer's firewall is disabled
Step 6. Remove or disable antivirus
Most antiviruses can block almost any virus so you should remove or completely disable your antivirus before you try to infect your computer.
Step 7. Visit the internet security community
There are various online communities that aim to test internet security. You can get links to known viruses in community discussions. One of the popular Internet security or NetSec (internet security) communities is the NetSec subreddit. You can find various discussions and links to sites that contain viruses.
Step 8. Download the file that contains the known virus
One of the most common ways viruses are used to spread is through pirated software and media. Look for "serial" or "crack" for well-known programs that require you to run certain files. These files often contain viruses that will run when you open a crack program.
- Torrenting is a frequently used way to share this type of file. When browsing torrent sites, look for torrents with poor ratings and comments from other users warning you about viruses. This is the file you will need.
- Another popular method for spreading viruses is P2P sharing programs. Some popular programs include Gnutella and Kazaa.
- There are many sites (known as "warez" sites) that provide almost any program that can be downloaded "for free". Most programs have been infected with viruses and adware (product advertisements embedded in an application), and often do not run.
Step 9. Click deceptive banners and ads
Many advertisements (especially those containing services or drugs) redirect you to obscure and viral sites.
Step 10. Download attachments in spam emails
Open folder Junk or Spam in the email, then open the email from an unknown sender and look for the download link or button.
- Sometimes a computer can become infected with a virus just by opening a spam email.
- In some spam emails, you will have to click the link in the email to download the virus file.
Step 11. Download the screensaver file
Screensavers are traditionally the file type that are most commonly infected, especially if downloaded from untrusted sources (such as on torrent sites).
This method usually only works on Windows computers because the screensaver file (.scr) can only be run on Windows
Step 12. Remove the virus after you finish testing
In extreme cases, you may have to wipe the entire hard drive and reinstall the operating system to remove all traces of the virus.
Tips
Windows Defender is the best antivirus program for Windows users
Warning
- Visiting sites that provide illegal content can get you into trouble with the authorities.
- Intentionally infecting another person's computer is illegal in many places. In fact, downloading a virus onto your own computer runs the risk of infecting other computers unnoticed, whether via e-mail, the network, or a USB flash drive.
- You risk endangering your privacy and personal information when downloading a virus. Antivirus can not always remove every virus.
