GridinSoft Threat Intelligence

vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B threat report

Detected as Adware.SweetIM File reputation report
MD5 8e4699ed9828dad3aecf01189a5ffa8c
Latest seen 2025-11-26 23:01:17 (6 months ago)
First seen 2018-05-02 23:13:05 (8 years ago)
Size 6 MB
Publisher SweetLabs, Inc
Signed by SweetLabs Inc.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection

Detected by GridinSoft before you download

The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Adware.SweetIM. 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
Adware.SweetIM
Recommended action
Scan and remove
Last analysis
2025-11-26 23:01:17 (6 months ago)
File hash
8e4699ed9828dad3aecf01189a5ffa8c
Download Anti-Malware

Why it matters

Why GridinSoft flags this file

Detection

GridinSoft identifies the sample as Adware.SweetIM, part of the Adware threat category.

Category context

Programs that inject advertising, change browser behavior, or monetize traffic through bundled components. Related Adware reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.

Timeline

First seen 2018-05-02 23:13:05 (8 years ago); latest analysis 2025-11-26 23:01:17 (6 months ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: SweetLabs, Inc. Product metadata: Host App Service Updater.

Digital signature

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

Aliases

This hash has appeared under multiple file names, which can happen with repackaging, bundling, or deliberate renaming.

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 Adware category for related samples and common context.

vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Host App Service Updater. The reported company name is SweetLabs, Inc. The current detection status is Adware.SweetIM, based on the latest analysis from 2025-11-26 23:01:17 (6 months ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Adware reports for broader family-level investigation.

If vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B 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 Adware.SweetIM.

Product Name: Host App Service Updater
Company Name: SweetLabs, Inc
MD5: 8e4699ed9828dad3aecf01189a5ffa8c
Size: 6 MB
First Published: 2018-05-02 23:13:05 (8 years ago)
Latest Published: 2025-11-26 23:01:17 (6 months ago)
Status: Adware.SweetIM (on last analysis)
Analysis Date: 2025-11-26 23:01:17 (6 months ago)
vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B 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: SweetLabs Inc.
Status: Valid

The signature on vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B 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%\host app service
%sysdrive%\adwcleaner\quarantine\v1\20180503.230329\10\host app service
%sysdrive%\adwcleaner\quarantine\v1\20180530.224715\9\host app service

ThreatInfo has observed vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B 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.

HostAppServiceUpdater.exe HostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B HostAppServiceUpdater (1).exe vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B

This hash has been seen with multiple file names. Alternate names can appear when software is updated, copied between folders, packed by an installer, or deliberately renamed to avoid recognition. Compare the exact MD5 above before assuming two names refer to the same file.

Windows 10 100.0%

The most common operating system signal for vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B 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.

vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B 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.

Format pe
Architecture 64-bit
Subsystem Windows GUI
Entry point 0x001aef40
Image base 0x0000000140000000

PE Sections:

Sections 9
Raw data 6955520

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

.text 4736000 bytes · 68.1% of section data
MD5 aebbd93f065aa17b7d71eadcbb902f4c
.rdata 1219584 bytes · 17.5% of section data
MD5 f783a398f26d3030c6efe37939638c17
.data 338432 bytes · 4.9% of section data
MD5 09bbd3f46fcb72c084493e6d6998bb73
.pdata 285184 bytes · 4.1% of section data
MD5 c2b69ff32abe5d081586da860954ee36
.tls 512 bytes · 0.0% of section data
MD5 bf619eac0cdf3f68d496ea9344137e8b
text 3072 bytes · 0.0% of section data
MD5 28f2aaa61a636b1b66b82adddf365494
data 10240 bytes · 0.1% of section data
MD5 a6643ae545092962a14d7bee1a5b20fe
.rsrc 317952 bytes · 4.6% of section data
MD5 2043283b735a3328dc0b82a368cc026a
.reloc 44544 bytes · 0.6% of section data
MD5 e31edeef575b4288eba403d4e45757fd

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 Adware.SweetIM

This report identifies vHostAppServiceUpdater.exe#FA6841909C8E267B by MD5 8e4699ed9828dad3aecf01189a5ffa8c. It is part of the Adware 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 8e4699ed9828dad3aecf01189a5ffa8c.
  • 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 Adware category to compare similar reports.