The EICAR test file is designed for users and administrators who want to check the proper operation of their anti-virus software without using actual viruses. Since it is never a good idea to test with real viruses, anti-virus researchers designed a completely harmless test file that most anti-virus products detect as if it were a virus. The EICAR test file is completely benign and contains NO virus code.

The most common uses for the EICAR test file are:

• Confirms the anti-virus application is installed correctly
• Demonstrate what happens when a virus is found
• Check internal procedures and reactions when a virus is found

For users who would like to check the correct operation of their Anti-Virus products, they can download the EICAR test file from the following links:
(Netscape Users: Right-click and select "Save Link As")

• Click here for EICAR (COM-format) - n/a
• Click here for EICAR (ZIP-format) - HTTP

Or you may create the EICAR test by following the instructions below:

1. Launch your text editor to create a file with the following single line in it
   (You may cut and paste the line below):
   

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

   
   
2. Save the file to any name with COM extension, for example EICAR.COM. Make sure you save the file in standard MS-DOS ASCII format. Now you can use this file to demonstrate what happens when a virus is found.

Naturally, the file is not a virus. When executed, EICAR.COM will display the text 'EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!' and exit.

EICAR is the European Institute of Computer Anti-virus Research.