MalwareTips
Threat LensFile scan report

Is 7z.sfx.exe safe?

Verdict
Suspicious

Five of 75 engines flagged this unsigned executable, with repeated downware labels and sandbox evidence of possible process injection warranting caution.

DrWeb and Malwarebytes independently identify this unsigned executable as Downware or SpecialSearchOffer, while three other engines also flag it. One sandbox mapped activity to process injection, but there is no strong tier-1 family consensus, malicious sandbox verdict, or confirmed malicious child, leaving mixed but concerning evidence.

Do not run it until verified

Quarantine the executable and replace it with a copy obtained directly from a verified vendor source. Keep antivirus and endpoint protection enabled, and avoid approving the file based solely on its 7-Zip-style name.

Read the full analysis
Saved file evidenceAntivirus consensus
5of 75 flagged
Flagged 5No detection 70
Digital specimen7z.sfx.exe2c4fd67ea213c61a84…08383c77e825b7
Size7.8 MB
Code signingUnsigned
SandboxRuntime complete
First seen27d ago
Evidence3 priority signals
1 high-confidence signature or behavior rule matched this file.

Recommended next actions

01

Before running

Do not run it until the source and publisher can be verified independently.

02

If you already ran it

Stop using it, scan the device, and watch for unexpected behavior or security alerts. Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.

Chapter 02

Intelligence

The saved assessment, checked against the scan evidence and recorded coverage.

MT AI Engine · Verdict analysis

The reasoning behind this verdict

This section explains the evidence supporting the verdict and keeps conflicting or missing signals visible.

78%Confidence
High
Analyst conclusion

DrWeb and Malwarebytes independently identify this unsigned executable as Downware or SpecialSearchOffer, while three other engines also flag it. One sandbox mapped activity to process injection, but there is no strong tier-1 family consensus, malicious sandbox verdict, or confirmed malicious child, leaving mixed but concerning evidence.

Where this verdict could be wrong4 caveats
  • 10 tier-1 engines reported no detection, while only DrWeb supplied a tier-1 alert.
  • behaviour.hasMaliciousSandboxVerdict=false, and no persistence indicators or malicious dropped child were recorded.
  • externalIntel.malwareBazaar.hit=false and externalIntel.yaraify.ruleCount=0, although absence from those sources does not establish benignity.
  • prevalence records 378 submitters and 433 submissions, so the file is not an isolated sample.

These are the assessment's weak points. If you believe one applies to your file, report the verdict and we'll re-review it.

Recommended action

Quarantine the executable and replace it with a copy obtained directly from a verified vendor source. Keep antivirus and endpoint protection enabled, and avoid approving the file based solely on its 7-Zip-style name.

Scan transparency

Coverage & freshness

4 of 5 complete

Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.

  • Antivirus

    Complete

    5 of 75 engines flagged the file.

  • Sandbox

    Complete

    1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.

  • Network

    Partial

    1 runtime contact was observed without a completed reputation cross-check.

  • YARA

    Complete

    2 signature or behavior rules matched.

  • External intel

    Complete

    3 of 3 independent reference sources completed.

Chapter 03

Behavior

Plain-English impact first, then the observed runtime evidence.

Runtime flight recorder

Capture complete
  • 1isolated sandbox run
  • 14MITRE ATT&CK techniques
  • 2spawned processes
  • 1network contacts
  • 3filesystem & mutex artifacts

What this file does

Observed actions and their security significance

  • High concern: Injected code into another process, a technique that can conceal execution.

  • High concern: Used an input-capture technique that can record credentials or keystrokes.

  • Moderate concern: Contained obfuscated or packed code that makes inspection harder.

  • Moderate concern: Runs hidden system commands (script or shell).

  • Moderate concern: Communicated over a common application protocol; malware can use this for command-and-control.

  • Moderate concern: Scans through your files and folders.

  • Moderate concern: Checked the environment for virtualisation or analysis tools.

These are observed capabilities from an isolated analysis. A technique does not prove malicious intent on its own, and the file never ran on your device.

Recorded behavior

Attack story

Runtime observations grouped by analysis stage. Arrows organize the stages; they do not claim chronology or causality.

ObservedDerived

6 recorded facts from one runtime window. Every fact remains independently traceable in Analyst mode.

Chapter 04

Detection & Forensics

Consensus, attribution, signatures, code structure, prevalence, and identity.

Chapter 05

Safety & FAQ

Complete recovery guidance and answers for the next decision.

What to do now

We couldn't fully clear this file. Treat it with caution.

  1. Recovery step 01

    Don't run it unless you're certain it came from a source you trust.

  2. Recovery step 02

    Check where you got it — an unexpected attachment or a random download link is a red flag.

  3. Recovery step 03

    If its origin cannot be confirmed, delete this file and use a fresh copy from a trusted source. Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.

  4. Recovery step 04

    If you're still unsure, scan it again in a day or two — detections often catch up on newer files.

Safety FAQ

Direct answers grounded in the saved verdict and evidence in this report.

8 evidence-based answers
Is 7z.sfx.exe safe, or is it malware?
Evidence-based answer
7z.sfx.exe is suspicious — treat it as unsafe until you're sure. 5 of 75 antivirus engines flag it (family: SpecialSearchOffer); that detection signal contributes to the cautious verdict. Don't run it unless you fully trust where it came from. Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.
What is 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
7z.sfx.exe is a Windows executable program, about 7.8 MB. We identify a file by its cryptographic hash rather than its name, because the same filename can be reused by completely different files — the hash below is the reliable fingerprint.
How many antivirus engines detected 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
5 of 75 antivirus engines flagged 7z.sfx.exe, 5 of them as outright malicious. The raw count alone does not establish safety or danger; we also weigh which engines flagged it and corroborating behavior, identity, reputation, and rule evidence.
What should I do if I already ran 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
Act quickly. 1) Disconnect the device from the internet to stop the malware communicating or spreading. 2) Run a full scan with reputable anti-malware software (such as Malwarebytes) and quarantine everything it finds. 3) Change your important passwords from a DIFFERENT, clean device — many threats log keystrokes or steal saved credentials. 4) If you bank or shop on this device, watch closely for fraud and alert your bank. 5) For a confirmed infection, the most reliable fix is to back up your personal files and reinstall the operating system for a clean start.
How do I remove 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
To remove 7z.sfx.exe: 1) restart into Safe Mode (Safe Mode with Networking if you need to download a tool) so the malware doesn't auto-start. 2) Run a full scan with reputable anti-malware software and let it quarantine or delete the detections. 3) Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash. 4) Check your browser extensions, startup items, and scheduled tasks for anything unfamiliar. 5) Reboot and scan again to confirm it's gone. If detections keep coming back, a clean operating-system reinstall is the most dependable cure.
What kind of malware is 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
7z.sfx.exe is classified as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUA) — not always destructive, but it bundles ads, trackers, or unwanted changes you didn't ask for. Engines attribute it to the SpecialSearchOffer family. Knowing the family matters because it tells you the likely impact — data theft, remote control, file encryption, or unwanted ads — and guides the cleanup.
What is the SHA-256 hash of 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
The SHA-256 hash of 7z.sfx.exe is 2c4fd67ea213c61a84f1bda2a1d4f8d0e2c5f28f9613e8655208383c77e825b7, and its MD5 is 7ceb8b01a98d92c9724ebc3fc3887c9f. This hash is the file's unique fingerprint — two files with the same SHA-256 are identical. Use it to confirm you're looking at exactly this file (not just one with the same name) when comparing against antivirus databases or a download's published checksum.
How up to date is this analysis of 7z.sfx.exe?
Evidence-based answer
This report reflects the scan run on October 6, 2026. Because a file's hash never changes, the identity of 7z.sfx.exe is fixed — but antivirus coverage improves over time, so a file that looks clean today can pick up detections later (and vice-versa). If you need the latest picture, MalwareTips staff can re-run the analysis from scratch.
Chapter 06

Community

Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.

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The raw file is processed temporarily and is not retained after processing. Its hash and report are public and permanent, so the next person who checks the same file gets an instant answer. Unknown files may be submitted to VirusTotal for analysis. If you ran this file on your computer and are worried, scan your system with an up-to-date antivirus and change critical passwords from a different device.