Here’s a simple tip using Notepad to check if your antivirus is working as it should:
- Open Notepad.
- Type X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H* into notepad.
- Save the file as either e.g., test.exe or test.bat (cyber criminals often exploit bat as well as exe files to launch malicious scripts).
- Scan the file with your antivirus and if it detects the file as a virus, this is good sign that it is working as it should. However, that doesn't mean you can always 100% trust it and should nevertheless still observe the usual levels of security and hygeine - this is just a quick test!