GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
hlds.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Ransom.Wacatac. 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
- Ransom.Wacatac
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2021-10-19 20:48:50 (4 years ago)
- File hash
- bee0aa5f2822bacc9069eec563f93e5f
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Ransom.Wacatac, part of the Ransom threat category.
Ransomware families and files associated with encryption or extortion workflows. Related Ransom reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2018-06-01 09:08:04 (7 years ago); latest analysis 2021-10-19 20:48:50 (4 years ago).
Company metadata: Valve. Product metadata: HLDS Launcher.
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 Ransom category for related samples and common context.
File context
hlds.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with HLDS Launcher. The reported company name is Valve. The current detection status is Ransom.Wacatac, based on the latest analysis from 2021-10-19 20:48:50 (4 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Ransom reports for broader family-level investigation.
If hlds.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 Ransom.Wacatac.
File Details
| Product Name: | HLDS Launcher |
| Company Name: | Valve |
| MD5: | bee0aa5f2822bacc9069eec563f93e5f |
| Size: | 380 KB |
| First Published: | 2018-06-01 09:08:04 (7 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2021-10-19 20:48:50 (4 years ago) |
| Status: | Ransom.Wacatac (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2021-10-19 20:48:50 (4 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.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\company\counter strike 1.6 |
| %profile% |
| %sysdrive%\games\games\العاب خفيفه مهمه\لعبه كيمو نت & احمد نت\cs_lc\game |
| %sysdrive%\games\games\العاب خفيفه مهمه\لعبه كيمو نت & احمد نت\cs_lc |
ThreatInfo has observed hlds.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 hlds.exe across 3 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Russian Federation with 33.3% 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 hlds.exe is Windows 8 with 40.0% 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
hlds.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.
b440511937ff4b0b66e4b1ae8dd23282
c71d2b74beefb0c2d3d1ee6537cc7ec2
2027137f34cadadce5a9e74e5c08daf1
22a0c301fa48f3d8331b8694114f2e08
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 Ransom.Wacatac
This report identifies hlds.exe by MD5 bee0aa5f2822bacc9069eec563f93e5f. It is part of the Ransom 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.