This will sound crazy, but...

[linuxlove]

where can i find a site or *cough*torrent*cough* that has viruses in it? i'm looking to test out various viruses on a virtual computer.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Doesn't CERT keep a sample database?

In any case, this looks like a good place to start

 

[linuxlove]

CERT? never heard of them. As for the link you gave me, i couldn't find any downloadable viruses.

 

[Ole Juul]

Doesn't the "Download area using the standard protocol http" or "Download area using the standard protocol https" work? They're at the bottom and look like active links to me.

 

[Chuck(G)]

CERT? never heard of them. As for the link you gave me, i couldn't find any downloadable viruses.

Been in computer security long?

CERT is the grandaddy of computer security organizations. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, run out of Carnegie-Mellon University works hand-in-glove with the governmental US-CERT group. These are the heavy-hitters.

They offer assurance programs for developers, if you're serious.

I added the EICAR link just in case you were interested in the EU version of CERT.

 

[linuxlove]

Hm, now i know where the big virus testing places are. Only problem is, i'm not sure what i need to be doing to hunt for downloadable viruses.

I'm specificly looking for:

Antivirus 2009
WinFixer

 

[Chuck(G)]

Hm, now i know where the big virus testing places are. Only problem is, i'm not sure what i need to be doing to hunt for downloadable viruses.

I'm specificly looking for:

Antivirus 2009
WinFixer

Strictly speaking, neither is a virus, but merely malware--that is, they screw up your machine, but don't use your machine to propogate. Viruses use your system to infect other systems. You may be too late for WinFixer, since it's a comparative oldie.

Your best bet is to cruise some of the virus-reporting blogs and forums, such as this one. Be careful.

To keep this discussion "vintage", have a look at the assembly code for some vintage viruses. (Click on "Assembly", but be warned that some of the archives contain compiled viruses which will drive your virus alerts crazy.)

 

[linuxlove]

Thanks Chuck(G), but that link gave me a Page Not Found error.

However, I did find a place that has lots of modern badware and historical viruses too!

Visit at your own risk: http://vx.netlux.org/