GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
ws.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as PUP.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
- PUP.Gen
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2023-05-15 23:31:12 (3 years ago)
- File hash
- a68ad7b7a3eb94cdd89347b8f83971f2
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as PUP.Gen, part of the PUP threat category.
Potentially unwanted programs, bundlers, installers, and utilities with intrusive behavior. Related PUP reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2022-12-29 23:52:56 (3 years ago); latest analysis 2023-05-15 23:31:12 (3 years ago).
Company metadata: Interactive Brands Malta Limited. Product metadata: PDF Suite 2021.
Signed by Avanquest Software (7270356 Canada Inc). 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 PUP category for related samples and common context.
File context
ws.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with PDF Suite 2021. The reported company name is Interactive Brands Malta Limited. The current detection status is PUP.Gen, based on the latest analysis from 2023-05-15 23:31:12 (3 years ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.
If ws.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 PUP.Gen.
File Details
| Product Name: | PDF Suite 2021 |
| Company Name: | Interactive Brands Malta Limited |
| MD5: | a68ad7b7a3eb94cdd89347b8f83971f2 |
| Size: | 1 MB |
| First Published: | 2022-12-29 23:52:56 (3 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2023-05-15 23:31:12 (3 years ago) |
| Status: | PUP.Gen (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2023-05-15 23:31:12 (3 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: | Avanquest Software (7270356 Canada Inc) |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on ws.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% |
ThreatInfo has observed ws.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 ws.exe across 2 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Netherlands with 50.0% 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 ws.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
ws.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.
e349db6772e80eadeb7d25f492ebeac2
fbedd8fc558f8dac88d06fcef6d561b0
b12dc75061c95907f1810ccf405a6790
baa66078bd82f21c319f3d9948cccb69
7ea7d0771b3b24477bf6572efeb366a4
54eaea01568b0071c81b250578daa008
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 PUP.Gen
This report identifies ws.exe by MD5 a68ad7b7a3eb94cdd89347b8f83971f2. It is part of the PUP 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.