GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
sfa_inst.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Adware.InstallCore. 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
- Adware.InstallCore
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2021-08-20 20:10:51 (4 years ago)
- File hash
- f5c468815e795c2b25e5f65f2073bd3b
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Adware.InstallCore.
First seen 2017-08-05 23:10:24 (8 years ago); latest analysis 2021-08-20 20:10:51 (4 years ago).
Company metadata: Filefacts.net . Product metadata: Smart File Advisor .
Signed by Totalpc. 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
sfa_inst.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Smart File Advisor . The reported company name is Filefacts.net . The current detection status is Adware.InstallCore, based on the latest analysis from 2021-08-20 20:10:51 (4 years ago).
If sfa_inst.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 Adware.InstallCore.
File Details
| Product Name: | Smart File Advisor |
| Company Name: | Filefacts.net |
| MD5: | f5c468815e795c2b25e5f65f2073bd3b |
| Size: | 578 KB |
| First Published: | 2017-08-05 23:10:24 (8 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2021-08-20 20:10:51 (4 years ago) |
| Status: | Adware.InstallCore (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2021-08-20 20:10:51 (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.
Overview
| Signed By: | Totalpc |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on sfa_inst.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%\smart file advisor |
| %programfiles% |
| %sysdrive%\2\program files (x86) |
ThreatInfo has observed sfa_inst.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 sfa_inst.exe across 15 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 16.7% 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 sfa_inst.exe is Windows 10 with 43.3% 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
sfa_inst.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.
0d7ac17dafcd52a9b3ea353c32256c1d
e8f82382eefca31b62f6a8c8a52ff421
00000000000000000000000000000000
bb5485bf968b970e5ea81292af2acdba
00000000000000000000000000000000
9ba824905bf9c7922b6fc87a38b74366
00000000000000000000000000000000
308a896fb823b59209c49e7a8a27285b
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 Adware.InstallCore
This report identifies sfa_inst.exe by MD5 f5c468815e795c2b25e5f65f2073bd3b. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.