GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
start_protected_game.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Trojan.Gen. 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
- Trojan.Gen
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days ago)
- File hash
- 41bfc4b9e42a9e40a472ac08ca57e577
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Trojan.Gen, part of the Trojan threat category.
Malware disguised as legitimate software or delivered through deceptive packaging. Related Trojan reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days ago); latest analysis 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days ago).
Company metadata: Epic Games, Inc.. Product metadata: Easy Anti-Cheat Bootstrapper (EOS).
Signed by EasyAntiCheat Oy. 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. Review the Trojan category for related samples and common context.
File context
start_protected_game.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Easy Anti-Cheat Bootstrapper (EOS). The reported company name is Epic Games, Inc.. The current detection status is Trojan.Gen, based on the latest analysis from 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Trojan reports for broader family-level investigation.
If start_protected_game.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 Trojan.Gen.
File Details
| Product Name: | Easy Anti-Cheat Bootstrapper (EOS) |
| Company Name: | Epic Games, Inc. |
| MD5: | 41bfc4b9e42a9e40a472ac08ca57e577 |
| Size: | 3 MB |
| First Published: | 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days ago) |
| Status: | Trojan.Gen (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-05-21 18:00:38 (6 days 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: | EasyAntiCheat Oy |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on start_protected_game.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:
| %sysdrive%\epic games |
ThreatInfo has observed start_protected_game.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 start_protected_game.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 India 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 start_protected_game.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
start_protected_game.exe is identified as pe for 64-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.
ae29cd22374404e8ad4cd9092cd0555b
485b0895eee7e5159b1a6da82da36fa4
c9ef31f5c8e320828168b307ef2b9f21
17a46d9e38645658f76da07bb9305f88
c74c6b20df7b6f224cf7b3d4b949060c
4e2f98dd900ba6b291c31643953bd373
bf4716508811e02fc68e14632a77a777
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 Trojan.Gen
This report identifies start_protected_game.exe by MD5 41bfc4b9e42a9e40a472ac08ca57e577. It is part of the Trojan 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.