Steps to check for false positive?

[cromag]

I'm running Avast 5, and updated it to Avast! 5.0.507 earlier today.  I ran a Full System scan this evening and Avast! reported a virus, which I have put in the Virus Chest.  However, I'm not sure that it's really a virus.  According to the info in the description in the chest, this file was last changed on 4/3/2003, which roughly corresponds to when I got the computer.  Meanwhile, another full scan, using the previous version of Avast!, didn't find anything -- and frankly, I haven't been using the computer for much in the meantime.

Is this something I should submit to the Virus Lab?

Thanks!

[DavidR]

What is the infected file name, where was it found e.g. (C:\windows\system32\infected-file-name.xxx) ?

You could also check the offending/suspect file at: VirusTotal - Multi engine on-line virus scanner and report the findings here the URL in the Address bar of the VT results page. You can't do this with the file securely in the chest, you need to extract it to a temporary (not original) location first, see below.

Create a folder called Suspect in the C:\ drive. Now exclude that folder in the File System Shield, Expert Settings, Exclusions, Add, type (or copy and paste) C:\Suspect\* That will stop the File System Shield scanning any file you put in that folder.