hstart.exe threat report

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• Overview
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Analyst brief

What this report says

GridinSoft Anti-Malware detects hstart.exe as Hijack.Explorer. The sample was last observed on 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year ago) and reports publisher metadata associated with NTWind Software / Hidden Start.

This page combines the detection verdict with file identity, publisher metadata, alternate names, observed paths, geography, OS signals, and PE details so the report reads as a triage record rather than a standalone download page.

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

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Why it matters

Why GridinSoft flags this file

Detection

GridinSoft identifies the sample as Hijack.Explorer.

Timeline

First seen 2024-12-11 23:00:57 (a year ago); latest analysis 2024-12-11 23:00:58 (a year ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: NTWind Software. Product metadata: Hidden Start.

Digital signature

Signed by NTWind Software. The signature is not reported as trusted and valid, which can indicate tampering, repackaging, or copied publisher data.

Observed locations

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

1. Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
2. Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
3. Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present.

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).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.