AdAwareDesktop.exe threat report

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• File Details
• Overview
• Analysis

Analyst brief

What this report says

GridinSoft Anti-Malware detects AdAwareDesktop.exe as PUP.Gen. The sample was last observed on 2021-03-03 16:47:28 (5 years ago) and reports publisher metadata associated with adaware / adaware antivirus. This detection belongs to the PUP report group, where related files are organized by family-level behavior and prevalence.

This page combines the detection verdict with file identity, publisher metadata, alternate names, observed paths, geography, OS signals, and PE details so the report reads as a triage record rather than a standalone download page.

Why it matters

Why GridinSoft flags this file

Detection

GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.Gen, part of the PUP threat category.

Category context

Potentially unwanted programs, bundlers, installers, and utilities with intrusive behavior. Related PUP reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.

Timeline

First seen 2021-03-03 16:47:28 (5 years ago); latest analysis 2021-03-03 16:47:28 (5 years ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: adaware. Product metadata: adaware antivirus.

Digital signature

Signed by Adaware Software (Lavasoft Software Canada Inc.). The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.

Recommended action

What to do next

1. Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
2. Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
3. 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.

AdAwareDesktop.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with adaware antivirus. The reported company name is adaware. The current detection status is PUP.Gen, based on the latest analysis from 2021-03-03 16:47:28 (5 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.

If AdAwareDesktop.exe 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

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

The signature on AdAwareDesktop.exe is reported as valid. A valid signature helps confirm publisher identity, but it does not automatically make the file safe if the installer was bundled, abused, or downloaded from an untrusted source.

Geographic signal

Observed country distribution

ThreatInfo has seen AdAwareDesktop.exe across 1 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.

Top country Portugal

Share 100.0%

Low High activity

The strongest geographic signal for this file is Portugal with 100.0% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.

The most common operating system signal for AdAwareDesktop.exe is Windows 10 with 100.0% 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

AdAwareDesktop.exe is identified as pe for 64-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 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 AdAwareDesktop.exe by MD5 21041736d6c0f6c2a286afcf4c6bb9ad. 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.

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan the device and confirm whether this exact hash is present. Check this hash on VirusTotal

Recommended next steps

• Compare the local file MD5 with 21041736d6c0f6c2a286afcf4c6bb9ad.
• Check the file path, publisher, and signature against the details in this report.
• Run a GridinSoft scan and remove the object if the same hash is found. Use the PUP category to compare similar reports.