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Resolved Question

EICAR - test

Apr 2, 2015 6:23PM PDT

Hello Everyone,

Using W7, Ultimate
AVG Free, Superantispyware.

Following a report seen in Softonic, where Bitdefender was rated as better than the two that I use, I installed it.

During the Installation AVG was automatically removed.

After the Installation of Birdefender, a notice informed me that regular scans were not done and another AV had to be used to do that.

I re-installed AVG.

I am now, irregularly, getting a notice from AVG that "EICAR - Test" has been discovered and should be removed. I therefore remove it.

As it appears to be a "test" and likely initiated by Bitdefender, and as it never appeared before I installed Bitdefender, should I be advised to just leave it and delete it with AVG when advised or would I be advised to somehow "turn it off"?

I realise that one should not have two AVs on at the same time, but I do so in view of the previous warning.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Colinito.

Discussion is locked

colinito has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Re: Bitdefender
Apr 2, 2015 7:22PM PDT

- What exactly did you install and what was the exact message?
- In what file is that "EICAR - Test" virus found?
- I don't think Bitdefender runs an Eicar test. It has nothing to do with antivirus.
- If you uninstall Bitdefender, does that message still appear? Then you know it's unrelated to Bitdefender. And possibly you know that AVG is better, because AVG finds it and Bitdefender doesn't.
- What's the use of using Bitdefender if it doesn't even run the regular scan for some reason?To me that seems a perfect reason to not use it.

Kees

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Bitdefender
Apr 3, 2015 2:40AM PDT

Hello, again, Kees,

Thanks for your reply.

I downloaded Bitdefender from their location - www.bitdefender.com/

I do not know where the EICAR_TEST file came from. I did not consciously obtain it nor did I see it mentioned during the downloading and Installing of Bitdefender.

I checked on the Internet about the EICAR_TEST file and found this explanation -

"EICAR_Test is a completely harmless file used in the antivirus industry to ensure that antivirus software is working properly. If your AVG antivirus software detects the EICAR test file, then AVG is working.
Want to test your antivirus software? Download the EICAR test file here.
EICAR_Test is currently ranked 145 in the world of online malware."

All that you say appears to make sense. I have now removed Bitdefender and will continue with AVG Free, Superantispyware and Malwarebytes, I use MWB as an 'on-demand' programme.

Thanks,

Colinito.

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Answer
The EICAR test file
Apr 2, 2015 6:53PM PDT

On its own the EICAR test file is not dangerous. Follow this "How-To Geek" article for a full explanation of what the Eicar Test is;
http://www.howtogeek.com/143263/how-to-test-your-antivirus-firewall-browser-and-software-security/?PageSpeed=noscript

Any Eicar Test file your anti-virus finds can be safely deleted.

But I'm confused about what went on.

You said "where Bitdefender was rated as better than the two that I use". You don't mention 2 other anti-virus scanners. You only mention AVG and SUPERAntispyware. That SUPERAntispyware is not an anti-virus scanner but is a spyware scanner and complements your existing AV, (anti-virus), to provide fuller protection.

I am surprised that Bitdefender automatically uninstalled AVG. That is the first time I have seen reports of one AV uninstalling another, and I find that quite disturbing. AV's are meant to protect themselves from attempts to uninstall them without the users permission, and this is a worrying development.

It is not advised to have two or more AV's running at the same time. They can conflict with each other if they attempt to scan the same file(s) at the same time.

Mark

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Bitdefender - The EICAR test file
Apr 3, 2015 6:02PM PDT

Hello Mark,

Thanks for your reply.

I know about having more than one AV "on" at the same time. That is why I only use MWB as an 'on-demand' programme and it is normally in the 'off' mode.

I mentioned that I had had to re-instal AVG after it had been removed because when I tried to set the new Bitrdefender Free to do a deep scan I found that it works on it's own and there was no method to arrange it to do a deep scan, so I had to re-install AVG.

I forget the actual words used in the pop-up when Bitdefender was installing, but it indicated that AVG had to be un-installed.

All is back to 'normal' now with the three security programmes installed that I have been using for some time - AVG Free; Superantispyware and Malwarebytes.

Thanks once again for your input.

Regards,

Colinito.

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Glad you are all sorted
Apr 3, 2015 6:23PM PDT

and good luck.

Mark

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Bitdefender
Apr 4, 2015 1:22AM PDT

Thank you Mark!

Regards,

Colinito.