GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
activation-service.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as PUP.Gen. 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.Gen
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-05-13 23:00:42 (4 days ago)
- File hash
- 14bb6aba53f0b8820efb91ed260e4ce4
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.Gen.
First seen 2026-05-13 23:00:36 (4 days ago); latest analysis 2026-05-13 23:00:42 (4 days ago).
Company metadata: Avanquest Software. Product metadata: Soda PDF Desktop 14.
Signed by 7270356 CANADA INC.. 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.
File context
activation-service.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Soda PDF Desktop 14. The reported company name is Avanquest Software. The current detection status is PUP.Gen, based on the latest analysis from 2026-05-13 23:00:42 (4 days ago).
If activation-service.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
| Product Name: | Soda PDF Desktop 14 |
| Company Name: | Avanquest Software |
| MD5: | 14bb6aba53f0b8820efb91ed260e4ce4 |
| Size: | 3 MB |
| First Published: | 2026-05-13 23:00:36 (4 days ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-05-13 23:00:42 (4 days ago) |
| Status: | PUP.Gen (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-05-13 23:00:42 (4 days 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: | 7270356 CANADA INC. |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on activation-service.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% |
ThreatInfo has observed activation-service.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 activation-service.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 Greece 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 activation-service.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
activation-service.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 Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
dae17fb4065216d21f9d7a8a2acc983d
dce9d452422bf7caa302e279b119c8df
ce050aafb7653e60b0be240e84245016
8f0bb85a4bffd302a019bceef9b4eb56
4b99e1d64d21b30883bca712c0eee173
11074e0ca71015624c9029048007d694
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 activation-service.exe by MD5 14bb6aba53f0b8820efb91ed260e4ce4. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.