GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
QHWatchdog.exe 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
- 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 years ago)
- File hash
- 5e6c05d3f8a06f263e1d53fc5c2c53b2
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 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 years ago); latest analysis 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 years ago).
Company metadata: Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd.. Product metadata: 360 Total Security.
Signed by Beijing Qihu 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
QHWatchdog.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with 360 Total Security. The reported company name is Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd.. The current detection status is Adware.Downloader, based on the latest analysis from 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Adware reports for broader family-level investigation.
If QHWatchdog.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 Adware.Downloader.
File Details
| Product Name: | 360 Total Security |
| Company Name: | Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. |
| MD5: | 5e6c05d3f8a06f263e1d53fc5c2c53b2 |
| Size: | 173 KB |
| First Published: | 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 years ago) |
| Status: | Adware.Downloader (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2024-07-12 23:01:21 (2 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: | Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on QHWatchdog.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.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\360\total security |
ThreatInfo has observed QHWatchdog.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.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen QHWatchdog.exe across 1 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Philippines with 100.0% 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 QHWatchdog.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
QHWatchdog.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.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
ad6db6cd8525766e2f7827c0a0d3234b
a80fd904de60e1d90a770ef189e10372
82ce24d70e4ed78cb85ec8a84063f85e
7aa946ba82d6aacc7ec31ccdbcd96317
f418e59ee432bb55847ed94cec278f17
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 QHWatchdog.exe by MD5 5e6c05d3f8a06f263e1d53fc5c2c53b2. 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.