GridinSoft Threat Intelligence

AskPIP_FF_.exe threat report

Detected as PUP.Ask File reputation report
MD5 f54d4c0990e7c398d39908d13e380ee9
Latest seen 2021-01-09 00:25:47 (5 years ago)
First seen 2017-05-30 03:05:26 (8 years ago)
Size 1004 KB
Publisher Ask.com
Signed by Ask.com

GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection

Detected by GridinSoft before you download

The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as PUP.Ask. 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.Ask
Recommended action
Scan and remove
Last analysis
2021-01-09 00:25:47 (5 years ago)
File hash
f54d4c0990e7c398d39908d13e380ee9
Download Anti-Malware

Why it matters

Why GridinSoft flags this file

Detection

GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.Ask, 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 2017-05-30 03:05:26 (8 years ago); latest analysis 2021-01-09 00:25:47 (5 years ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: Ask.com. Product metadata: Offercast - APN Install Manager.

Digital signature

Signed by Ask.com. The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.

Observed locations

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

  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.

AskPIP_FF_.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Offercast - APN Install Manager. The reported company name is Ask.com. The current detection status is PUP.Ask, based on the latest analysis from 2021-01-09 00:25:47 (5 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.

If AskPIP_FF_.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.Ask.

Product Name: Offercast - APN Install Manager
Company Name: Ask.com
MD5: f54d4c0990e7c398d39908d13e380ee9
Size: 1004 KB
First Published: 2017-05-30 03:05:26 (8 years ago)
Latest Published: 2021-01-09 00:25:47 (5 years ago)
Status: PUP.Ask (on last analysis)
Analysis Date: 2021-01-09 00:25:47 (5 years ago)
AskPIP_FF_.exe 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.

Signed By: Ask.com
Status: Valid

The signature on AskPIP_FF_.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.

%localappdata%\temp
%temp%
%sysdrive%\backup 25-3-14\users\user\appdata\local
%sysdrive%\docume~1\be93~1\locals~1
%sysdrive%\windows.old\users\user\appdata\local

ThreatInfo has observed AskPIP_FF_.exe 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.

Windows 7 63.3%
Windows 10 28.6%
Windows XP 4.1%
Windows 8 2.0%
Windows 8.1 2.0%

The most common operating system signal for AskPIP_FF_.exe is Windows 7 with 63.3% 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.

AskPIP_FF_.exe 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.

Format pe
Architecture 32-bit
Subsystem Windows GUI
Entry point 0x00074983
Image base 0x00400000

PE Sections:

Sections 5
Raw data 1019392

Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.

.text 612352 bytes · 60.1% of section data
MD5 11aba8987442623716e0a88270e93627
.rdata 136704 bytes · 13.4% of section data
MD5 72d31f05b35c5609c46a28d0f69c9a46
.data 23040 bytes · 2.3% of section data
MD5 6696743bf30b6d99c9f93beefd2f5782
.rsrc 199168 bytes · 19.5% of section data
MD5 881270cfcf08fb771e73c7abee2af3a4
.reloc 48128 bytes · 4.7% of section data
MD5 c5925a82ee9d20591be572618bec9366

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.Ask

This report identifies AskPIP_FF_.exe by MD5 f54d4c0990e7c398d39908d13e380ee9. 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 f54d4c0990e7c398d39908d13e380ee9.
  • 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.