What are CARO and EICAR ?
CARO – Computer Anti-Virus Researchers Organisation. An invitation-only group of technical researchers, mostly representing anti-virus vendors. CARO approves ‘ standard ‘ names for viruses. Some people tend to mistrust the fact that CARO members often share virus samples: however, CARO membership is a convenient yardstick by which other members can judge whether an individual can be trusted with samples. In general, users at large benefit this way: anti-virus vendors with CARO members can include most known viruses in their definitions databases. EICAR – European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research. Membership of which comprises academic, commercial, media, governmental organisations etc., with experts in security, law etc., combining in the pursuit of the control of the spread of malicious software and computer misuse. Membership is more open, but members are expected to subscribe to a code of conduct. And yes, this is the origin of the EICAR test file. EICAR has a web page at
CARO – Computer Anti-Virus Researchers Organisation. Invitation-only group of techie researchers, mostly representing AV vendors. CARO approves ‘standard’ names for viruses. Some people tend to mistrust the fact that CARO members often share virus samples: however, CARO membership is a convenient yardstick by which other members can judge whether an individual can be trusted with samples. In general, users at large benefit: this way, AV vendors with CARO members can include most known viruses in their definitions databases. EICAR – European Institute for Computer AntiVirus Research. Membership comprises academic, commercial, media, governmental organisations etc, with experts in security, law etc., combining in the pursuit of the control of the spread of malicious software and computer misuse. Membership is more open, but members are expected to subscribe to a code of conduct. And yes, this is the origin of the EICAR test file. Placeholders Errrr… gone. I don’t have much time to poli
