EICAR (antiviral)

EICAR (European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research) is a non-profit organization and a prominent entity in the field of computer security. EICAR is best known for the development of the EICAR Antivirus Test File, which allows users to test the functionality of antivirus software without the need to use a real computer virus.

History

EICAR was established in 1991 as an initiative by several European institutions with the aim to further antivirus research and enhance development of antivirus software. The organization has since grown to include members from all around the globe, including antivirus software developers, researchers, and end users.

EICAR Test File

The EICAR Test File is a safe and benign file that all antivirus software programmed to detect. It is a 68-byte .com file that can be run on DOS, Windows, and Unix-based systems. The file contains a specific ASCII string which is detected as a virus by antivirus software, even though it cannot perform any actions of a real virus. The purpose of the EICAR Test File is to allow users, companies, and antivirus software developers to test their software without the need to use a real virus and risk causing damage.

Usage

To use the EICAR Test File, a user simply downloads the file and runs a scan using their antivirus software. If the software is functioning correctly, it should detect the file as a virus and take appropriate action, such as quarantining or deleting the file. This provides a simple and safe way to ensure that antivirus software is working as expected.

Impact

The EICAR Test File has had a significant impact on the antivirus industry. It has become a standard tool for testing antivirus software and is used by numerous organizations and individuals worldwide. By providing a safe and reliable way to test antivirus software, the EICAR Test File has contributed to the overall improvement of computer security.

See Also

• Computer security
• Antivirus software
• Computer virus