GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
akelpad.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Hijack.Explorer. 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
- Hijack.Explorer
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week ago)
- File hash
- 8f14b29e61aa73b27ac8389e8a02a0d8
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Hijack.Explorer, part of the Hijack threat category.
Browser, shortcut, proxy, or system-setting changes that redirect user activity. Related Hijack reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week ago); latest analysis 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week ago).
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 Hijack category for related samples and common context.
File context
akelpad.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with AkelPad. The reported company name is AkelSoft. The current detection status is Hijack.Explorer, based on the latest analysis from 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Hijack reports for broader family-level investigation.
If akelpad.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 Hijack.Explorer.
File Details
| Product Name: | AkelPad |
| Company Name: | AkelSoft |
| MD5: | 8f14b29e61aa73b27ac8389e8a02a0d8 |
| Size: | 410 KB |
| First Published: | 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week ago) |
| Status: | Hijack.Explorer (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-05-19 06:00:39 (a week 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.
Common Places:
| %programfiles% |
ThreatInfo has observed akelpad.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 akelpad.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 Ukraine 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 akelpad.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
akelpad.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.
bc50086c37ef3e5dacf98bd7a63dd3d4
46896e5365e6a233c97954c50dbe187e
96a11e62952bde80633db53320932e2a
c7fef0c30c61dced1be61ee9c7a84c9d
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 Hijack.Explorer
This report identifies akelpad.exe by MD5 8f14b29e61aa73b27ac8389e8a02a0d8. It is part of the Hijack 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.