September Newsletter

Tech Tip – How To Use Notepad To Test Your Antivirus

Here’s a simple tip using Notepad to check if your antivirus is working as it should:

1. Open Notepad.
2. Type X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H* into notepad.
3. 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).
4. 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 hygiene - this is just a quick test!

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