GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
ASCPlugin_Protection.dll threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as PUP.Gen. Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware to scan the device, confirm whether this file is present, and remove the detected object if it is found.
- Detection name
- PUP.Gen
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-05-02 23:01:37 (3 weeks ago)
- File hash
- 8ee9e37fa665862520d975685feb5d01
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.Gen, part of the PUP threat category.
Potentially unwanted programs, bundlers, installers, and utilities with intrusive behavior. Related PUP reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2022-06-27 23:43:15 (3 years ago); latest analysis 2026-05-02 23:01:37 (3 weeks ago).
Company metadata: IObit. Product metadata: Surfing Protection.
Signed by IObit CO., LTD. The signature is not reported as trusted and valid, which can indicate tampering, repackaging, or copied publisher data.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
- Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
- Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present. Review the PUP category for related samples and common context.
File context
ASCPlugin_Protection.dll is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Surfing Protection. The reported company name is IObit. The current detection status is PUP.Gen, based on the latest analysis from 2026-05-02 23:01:37 (3 weeks ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.
If ASCPlugin_Protection.dll appears on your computer unexpectedly, treat it as suspicious. Check its location, digital signature, and recent system changes before allowing it to run. A full anti-malware scan is recommended when this file is detected as PUP.Gen.
File Details
| Product Name: | Surfing Protection |
| Company Name: | IObit |
| MD5: | 8ee9e37fa665862520d975685feb5d01 |
| Size: | 883 KB |
| First Published: | 2022-06-27 23:43:15 (3 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-05-02 23:01:37 (3 weeks ago) |
| Status: | PUP.Gen (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-05-02 23:01:37 (3 weeks ago) |
Detection screenshot
The screenshot is a visual record of a GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection for this sample. Use the hash and metadata above as the primary identifiers when comparing the file on your system.
Overview
| Signed By: | IObit CO., LTD |
| Status: | Invalid (digital signature could be stolen or file could be patched) |
The signature on ASCPlugin_Protection.dll is not reported as trusted and valid. Invalid or suspicious signature data can indicate tampering, repackaging, or an unrelated file using copied publisher information.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\iobit\advanced systemcare\surfing protection |
| %sysdrive%\progra~2\iobit\advanc~1\surfing protection |
| %programfiles%\iobit\iobit malware fighter\surfing protection |
| %sysdrive%\progra~2\iobit\advanc~1\surfin~1 |
| %sysdrive%\progra~2\iobit\iobitm~1\surfin~1 |
ThreatInfo has observed ASCPlugin_Protection.dll in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen ASCPlugin_Protection.dll across 8 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Belgium with 27.8% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
The most common operating system signal for ASCPlugin_Protection.dll is Windows 10 with 94.4% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
ASCPlugin_Protection.dll is identified as pe for 32-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows GUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
7bbe4c2adc65e109b9ed3de267b7ab52
446d9dc041cacac279903eee8831020b
e22b963ed135e57f79210451199c999e
d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e
936655b486b7741ac9e560ad4a75036e
624693fdadbcd706e00cb3bd40c35995
68e796cab7581ce6be76d95357da6109
81d45e38f0f1bee31b09b7f03a9370da
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
Report conclusion
GridinSoft detects this file as PUP.Gen
This report identifies ASCPlugin_Protection.dll by MD5 8ee9e37fa665862520d975685feb5d01. It is part of the PUP report group. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.