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Submitting Virus Samples

First published: 31st August 2007

We recently received an email that started, "As incredible as it meight be, there is no simple way to report a new virus to either of the major vendors (nod32, symantec, mcaffee, etc, etc). So i just found your email on the wild list." This is incredicle, because we know all the major vendors provide ways for people to submit samples. Unfortunately, the message contained a brief description of what the supposed virus did, but no sample.

So, let us clarify how to report a possible new virus to an anti-virus developer in the most effective way:

  1. Have you updated your anti-virus software? Check whether the latest available update for your anti-virus software detects and/or disinfects the suspected virus.
  2. You need to provide a sample. The developer examines new viruses (or other malware) to understand how they work, how to detect them and how to remove them. A report of a new virus without a sample is almost useless, it will not result in a virus definition that can detect and remove the virus. If you do not know how to collect a sample, contact your technical support or your anti-virus vendor's technical support, they can help you.
  3. Choose a report method. Some anti-virus software includes an integrated feature to help you submit samples, and all the major vendors have instructions on their websites (see links below).
  4. Don't make multiple submissions. The major anti-virus developers all share virus samples, because they recognise that viruses are like a public health issue, and that, by giving samples to their commercial competitors, the customers they are protecting are their own. Submit your sample to your own anti-virus vendor, if it is a new virus, they will send it to the others.
  5. Include relevant information. Say why you suspect these files, what you observed when the incident occurred, and your system information: operating system and version, anti-virus software type, version and virus definitions date/version, and the name and version of any software that seemed to be involved. Include the report of your anti-virus software, if there is one.
  6. Don't Panic.

Is that clear? Here are those submission links:


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