A new update for Avast anti-virus software is reporting to be giving off false positives on their system. Avast is alerting users of freshly downloaded files that they might be at risk, even when the file is safe.

Avast is reporting safe applications such as Spybot – Search and Destroy, Skype and other applications incorrectly that they may contain the Win32:Delf-MZG Trojan.

Avast has quickly reacted to the false alarm claims and released another definition update 3.12.2009 - 91203-1, described as, This VPS update contains only fixes to existing definitions or removal of false alarms.

Anyone still receiving the false positives on their systems should disable the security shield by Avast, until the problem is resolved further, however currently their support forums have been a bit hit and miss on functionality due to the increase in user posts.