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. Since viruses can quickly render a computer inoperable, backing up your computer's files to an external hard drive is recommended. Viruses are designed to spread, and it is irresponsible to test viruses on a computer that is not isolated from the internet at large. Ensure that your test environment is contained so that the viruses you are testing cannot spread to computers that you don't want infected. You'll also want to make sure that your computer doesn't have any sensitive information (e.g., credit card numbers, social security identification, payment records, etc.) on it just in case your virus is able to copy the contents of your hard drive. Make sure that the computer or computers you are testing on are not connected to the Internet when you open an infected file. For greater security, test viruses using a virtual machine on a physical computer that is not connected to the internet. Infecting your own computer can jeopardize your data and personal information, and if your computer is connected to the internet or other computers on a network, you run the risk of infecting others. Intentionally infecting someone's computer with a virus is illegal in most countries. If you are trying to test your antivirus software, it is strongly recommended that you use the test file in the previous method. Most routers contain hardware firewalls that can help protect your computer. For maximum vulnerability, you should connect your modem directly to your computer via an Ethernet cable, which will bypass the router's security. . The Firewall service acts as a built-in threat deterrent, so disabling it will allow unauthorized programs to access your computer. In some cases, disabling your computer's Firewall will also allow unauthorized users to gain access to your network. Most antivirus programs do an admirable job of catching the majority of viruses, so you'll want to disable or remove your antivirus software completely before trying to infect the computer. There are a variety of communities online dedicated to testing internet security, and you may be able to find links to known viruses in the community discussions. One of the most popular internet security (NetSec) communities is the NetSec subreddit. You can find a variety of discussions and links to sites containing specific viruses. One of the most popular ways for viruses to be spread is through pirated media and software. Look for "cracks" or "serials" for popular programs that require a file to be run. These files often contain viruses that execute when your run the crack program. Torrents are a very popular way to share these files. When browsing torrent sites, look for torrents with low ratings and comments from other users warning about viruses. These are the ones you want. P2P sharing programs are another popular way to spread viruses. Programs like Kazaa and Gnutella are some of the more popular options. Lots of websites, known as "warez" sites, will offer "free" downloads for virtually any program. These are almost always infected with viruses and adware, and the program itself rarely works. Many advertisementsespecially ones about enhancement-based drugs or servicesredirect to shady sites which house viruses. Open your email's Spam or Junk folder, then open an email from an unknown sender and look for a download button or link. Sometimes simply opening a spam email will be enough to contract a virus. For some spam emails, you'll have to click a link in the email to prompt a virus file to download. Screensavers are traditionally some of the most infected files around, especially when downloaded from untrustworthy sources (e.g., torrenting websites). This method will typically only work for Windows computers, as the screensaver (.scr) files will usually only be executable on a Windows computer. when your test is complete. In extreme cases, you may have to erase your computer's hard drive and reinstall the operating system to wipe out all traces of the virus.
Back up your computer Ensure that your computer is in a secure environment. Understand the risks and legality. Connect your computer directly to the internet. Disable your computer's Firewall Disable or uninstall your antivirus. Visit internet security communities. Download files with known viruses. Click on shady banners and advertisements. Download attachments from spam emails. Download screensaver files. Get rid of the virus