4.4.2. Testing Microsoft Security Essentials - On-demand Protection.

We now want to test the on-demand capabilities of Microsoft Security Essentials.

1. We need to download the EICAR Standard Antivirus test File, so we need to temporarily disable the real-time protection.
   Open Microsoft Security Essentials and in the Settings tab select the settings for Real-time protection.
   Clear the checkbox labelled Turn on real-time protection (recommended) and click Save changes. At this point the Microsoft Security Essentials icon in the system tray will turn red, an icon from Security Center will appear with the warning that Your computer might be at risk and the bar at the top of the Microsoft Security Essentials will turn red, with the text Computer status - at risk. This is ok for the short duration of this test.
   Close the Microsoft Security Essentials window.
   

   

2. Download the EICAR standard anti-virus test file saving it to the Desktop for ease.
   Close or move any other windows you may have open so that you can see the file just downloaded on the Desktop.
   

   

3. On the Desktop, locate the eicar.com file (it may be labelled simply eicar) just downloaded and right-click, then select Scan with Microsoft Security Essentials...
   
   

   

4. The threat will be detected and the Microsoft Security Essentials window will open with some details.
   Note that this window also contains a warning that Real-time protection is switched off, with the admonition that it should be switched on.
   We can get further details on the threat if desired, otherwise click Clean computer
   

   

5. After a short delay the threat will be removed by deleting the file, you can see it disappear from the Desktop. A window appears to let you know that Your actions were applied successfully. Click on Close.
   
   

   

6. We're done testing now, click Turn on in the Microsoft Security Essentials window to re-enable real-time protection, in the system tray the Microsoft Security Essentials icon will turn green and the Security Center icon and warning will disappear.