GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
ProtectApi.dll threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Adware.Downloader. 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.Downloader
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2021-02-28 04:25:27 (5 years ago)
- File hash
- c57bb8f761741d3966e227b2bffad8fc
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Adware.Downloader, part of the Adware threat category.
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.
First seen 2020-12-23 11:34:12 (5 years ago); latest analysis 2021-02-28 04:25:27 (5 years ago).
Company metadata: 2345.cc. Product metadata: 2345安全卫士中心.
Signed by Shanghai 2345 Mobile Technology Co., Ltd.. The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.
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 Adware category for related samples and common context.
File context
ProtectApi.dll is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with 2345安全卫士中心. The reported company name is 2345.cc. The current detection status is Adware.Downloader, based on the latest analysis from 2021-02-28 04:25:27 (5 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Adware reports for broader family-level investigation.
If ProtectApi.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 Adware.Downloader.
File Details
| Product Name: | 2345安全卫士中心 |
| Company Name: | 2345.cc |
| MD5: | c57bb8f761741d3966e227b2bffad8fc |
| Size: | 1 MB |
| First Published: | 2020-12-23 11:34:12 (5 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2021-02-28 04:25:27 (5 years ago) |
| Status: | Adware.Downloader (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2021-02-28 04:25:27 (5 years 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: | Shanghai 2345 Mobile Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on ProtectApi.dll 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.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\2345soft\2345safecenter |
ThreatInfo has observed ProtectApi.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 ProtectApi.dll across 2 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Thailand with 50.0% 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 ProtectApi.dll 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
ProtectApi.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.
de33ee1d13c4786260a13c7cecc322c6
9fb3fd835b3367ee74fd9cd4fbb0264a
526cec27f84c7300473941a00149cc56
168d55c5c184626d7bd965f992abc96e
ab39981473c7011943e3b9c9394c594d
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.Downloader
This report identifies ProtectApi.dll by MD5 c57bb8f761741d3966e227b2bffad8fc. 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.