The European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR) developed the EICAR test script as a safe way to confirm proper installation and configuration of antivirus software. Visit the EICAR website for more information:
The EICAR test script is an inert text file with a .com extension. It is not a virus and does not contain any fragments of viral code, but most antivirus software react to it as if it were a virus. Use it to simulate a virus incident and confirm that email notifications and virus logs work properly.
Warning:
Never use real viruses to test an antivirus product.