GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
hstart.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
- 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year ago)
- File hash
- e03cc652ee1837198a3dc35166b91a0f
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 2024-12-11 23:00:57 (a year ago); latest analysis 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year ago).
Company metadata: NTWind Software. Product metadata: Hidden Start.
Signed by NTWind Software. The signature is not reported as trusted and valid, which can indicate tampering, repackaging, or copied publisher data.
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
hstart.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Hidden Start. The reported company name is NTWind Software. The current detection status is Hijack.Explorer, based on the latest analysis from 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Hijack reports for broader family-level investigation.
If hstart.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: | Hidden Start |
| Company Name: | NTWind Software |
| MD5: | e03cc652ee1837198a3dc35166b91a0f |
| Size: | 175 KB |
| First Published: | 2024-12-11 23:00:57 (a year ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year ago) |
| Status: | Hijack.Explorer (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year 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: | NTWind Software |
| Status: | Invalid (digital signature could be stolen or file could be patched) |
The signature on hstart.exe is not reported as trusted and valid. Invalid or suspicious signature data can indicate tampering, repackaging, or an unrelated file using copied publisher information.
Common Places:
| %programfiles% |
ThreatInfo has observed hstart.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 hstart.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 Spain 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 hstart.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
hstart.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.
709ee66f3b2dd489fa7406e20415957d
dfff40ef603cd262fae3e046b24f2ccc
05b55fa803eabf44e7f784843cd0e51d
154aeba3cab18c567b2b66761d9fcb7d
9169e1154484664680172f8929d3a0c4
c210ad2367710a98c6681de81efa7f25
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 hstart.exe by MD5 e03cc652ee1837198a3dc35166b91a0f. 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.