How to test applications safely?

[Purshu_Pro]

Hi I'm new to this world so i want to learn things, so i have started off, so the first lesson is i want to learn how to test Antivirus applications in a safe way, so if any one could guide me i will do so!

 

[Venustus]

By safe, I assume you mean testing malicious software in a "safe environment".

Virtualisation is what i use!

Here are some links:
https://www.virtualbox.org/
http://www.vmware.com/au/products/player/


Other members may have further recommendations..

Cheers!

 

[Purshu_Pro]

By safe, I assume you mean testing malicious software in a "safe environment".

Virtualisation is what i use!

Here are some links:
https://www.virtualbox.org/
http://www.vmware.com/au/products/player/


Other members may have further recommendations..

Cheers!

Should we install an operating system and then install an antivirus to do so? Should we download malware packs to test av's?

 

[indra11tng]

For software testing (find bugs and error) i not use sandboxie or VM

 

[Exterminator]

Virtual environment!! I use Virtual Box.I like the ease with which I can change the MAC address in Virtual Box for other endeavors.

 

[Deleted member 178]

use your little brother/sister computer and go ahead

 

[kjdemuth]

VM workstation and the host system is in shadow mode, courtesy of Shadowdefender. I use VM workstation so I can create a few snapshots of certain AV's I'm testing.

 

[Deleted member 178]

more seriously, im using Shadow Defender + VirtualBox

 

[Purshu_Pro]

Any one can tell me the correct steps of doing so? with an example?

 

[Deleted member 178]

Check the "how to" section, i remember we have a tutorial there

 

[Stubbornest]

Adding to the earlier advice you received from the others about VM's :

Tip to get a free Windows with Internet Explorer browser ready-to-go instantly.
This Microsoft site has virtual machines with many versions of Windows and Internet Explorer pre-installed.
Download and run.

I use this for testing my websites on Internet Explorer and Windows versions I do not have installed.

http://www.modern.ie/en-us
Choose the link "Download VMs for Mac, Linux or Windows".
Then click one of the 2 links named "Get free VMs" right below the section titled Download a Virtual Machine. For Mac, Linux, or Windows.
(The other 2sections "Test across browsers in a few click" and "Get a free 14 day trial of Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac." are not relevant and will eventually cost you money.)
Select a host OS from the dropdown on the left. (I chose Windows.)
After that select a virtualizer for the guest from the dropdown on the right to see beautiful things appear.

EDIT: The VM's require activation with Microsoft. And the Windows versions marked Preview have an expiry date. The others don't. But the Win8 preview versions seem to be gone.
If you get stuck, there is a link to a blog (on the same page) with detailed step-by-step instructions named "Try Rey Bango's blog".

Cheers.

EDIT2: I missed the following post. If external instructions are not allowed, please remove my post.

Check the "how to" section, i remember we have a tutorial there