Is Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe safe?
This unsigned executable, marketed as an activation tool, exhibits suspicious process injection and system-level modifications that are characteristic of unauthorized software patches.
Our analysis identifies this file as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) used for software cracking. It lacks a valid digital signature and performs suspicious system-level actions, including process injection and unauthorized service termination, which are common in malicious installers.
4826d76569018dd144…bfc5ad00eccb39Recommended next actions
Before running
Do not run it until the source and publisher can be verified independently.
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.
Intelligence
The saved assessment, checked against the scan evidence and recorded coverage.
The reasoning behind this verdict
This section explains the evidence supporting the verdict and keeps conflicting or missing signals visible.
Our analysis identifies this file as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) used for software cracking. It lacks a valid digital signature and performs suspicious system-level actions, including process injection and unauthorized service termination, which are common in malicious installers.
The file is an unsigned executable that attempts to modify system services and perform process injection, as confirmed by our sandbox analysis. While engine detection is low, the file's purpose as an 'activation unlocker' and its observed behavior align with common patterns for unauthorized software tools. We advise caution as such tools often bypass security controls and may contain hidden malicious payloads. Users should avoid running software from untrusted sources that claims to bypass licensing mechanisms.
What We Detected
The file 'Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe' is an unsigned binary that attempts to interact with system services and perform process injection. Our analysis observed the termination of legitimate services and the execution of various temporary files, which is typical of software 'cracks' or 'patchers'.
Threat Behavior
The sample exhibits several offensive techniques, including process injection (T1055) and the modification of system configurations (T1562.001). It also communicates directly with multiple external IP addresses, which may indicate an attempt to reach command-and-control infrastructure or verify the activation status through unauthorized channels.
What To Do Now
We strongly recommend removing this file and performing a full system scan with your primary security software. Do not attempt to run this tool, as it poses a significant risk to system integrity and security. Always obtain software directly from the official vendor to ensure authenticity and safety.
Where this verdict could be wrong2 caveats
- The majority of engines (74/75) did not flag the file, which could suggest the behavior is perceived as benign installer activity by most vendors.
- The single detection is from a low-trust engine, which might indicate a false positive if the behavior is merely typical of complex installers.
These are the assessment's weak points. If you believe one applies to your file, report the verdict and we'll re-review it.
- Unsigned executable
- Process injection (T1055)
- Unauthorized service termination
- Direct IP communication
- Piracy-related filename
Delete the file immediately and avoid using unauthorized activation tools. Ensure your endpoint protection remains active and updated.
Coverage & freshness
Complete means the check returned a usable result. It does not mean the file is safe.
Antivirus
Complete1 of 75 engines flagged the file.
Sandbox
Complete1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.
Network
Partial20 runtime contacts were observed without a completed reputation cross-check.
YARA
Complete2 signature or behavior rules matched.
External intel
PartialIndependent reference checks were attempted but are incomplete.
Behavior
Plain-English impact first, then the observed runtime evidence.
Runtime flight recorder
Capture complete- 1isolated sandbox run
- 29MITRE ATT&CK techniques
- 15spawned processes
- 20network contacts
- 35filesystem & 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: Created or modified a system service, which can keep code running.
High concern: Configured an event-triggered execution mechanism.
High concern: Changed an auto-start location that can make code run after sign-in or restart.
High concern: Attempted to impair or bypass security controls.
High concern: Manipulated how the operating system loads code, which can redirect execution.
Moderate concern: Contained obfuscated or packed code that makes inspection harder.
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.
Attack story
Runtime observations grouped by analysis stage. Arrows organize the stages; they do not claim chronology or causality.
Input file
The submitted object
- FileObserved
Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe
4826d76569018dd144d409ca12d7b0ac2305339c4e9f87e510bfc5ad00eccb39
01Uploaded file
Processes
Runtime execution
- ProcessObserved
Observed process
"C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.exe"
02Isolated runtime analysis - ProcessObserved
Observed process
"C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-VCPA3.tmp\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp" /SL5="$700E8,8713422,841728,C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.exe"
03Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Files
Created or changed
- Written fileObserved
RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-VCPA3.tmp\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp
04Isolated runtime analysis - Written fileObserved
_setup64.tmp
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-FQOQP.tmp\_isetup\_setup64.tmp
05Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
Network
Hosts contacted
- Contacted hostObserved
192.168.0.8
Contact observed during runtime.
06Isolated runtime analysis - Contacted hostObserved
20.99.186.246
Contact observed during runtime.
07Isolated runtime analysis - +1 more recorded observation in Analyst mode
7 recorded facts from one runtime window. Every fact remains independently traceable in Analyst mode.
What this file did when executed
This file was detonated in 1 sandbox and its runtime behaviour was observed.
Adversary techniques mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
- 192.168.0.8
- 20.99.186.246
- 152.195.19.97
- 20.99.133.109
- 20.99.185.48
- a83f:8110:0:0:1b00:100:2800:0
- 192.168.0.21
- 52.185.73.156
- 23.216.81.152
- 52.154.209.174
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-VCPA3.tmp\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-FQOQP.tmp\_isetup\_setup64.tmp
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-FQOQP.tmp\_isetup\_iscrypt.dll
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\libgcc_s_seh-1.dll
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\libwinpthread-1.dll
- C:\ProgramData\Maxon\RLM\is-LRTO4.tmp
- C:\Program Files\Red Giant\Services\is-JHIHN.tmp
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-MBK0K.tmp\unlocker.cmd
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-MBK0K.tmp\_isetup\_iscrypt.dll
- C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-MBK0K.tmp\_isetup
- Local\RstrMgr3887CAB8-533F-4C85-B0DC-3E5639F8D511
- Local\RstrMgr-3887CAB8-533F-4C85-B0DC-3E5639F8D511-Session0000
- Local\RstrMgr-3887CAB8-533F-4C85-B0DC-3E5639F8D511-Session0001
- \Sessions\1\BaseNamedObjects\Local\RstrMgr3887CAB8-533F-4C85-B0DC-3E5639F8D511
- \Sessions\1\BaseNamedObjects\Local\RstrMgr-3887CAB8-533F-4C85-B0DC-3E5639F8D511-Session0000
Files this sample writes at runtime
This file drops 10 children at runtime. None are currently flagged malicious in our cache.
- 568d537b257e38891571…4dcf91Never scannednever seen before
- 68bef13493195a03f812…fe2eafNever scannednever seen before
- 65f387220ee8c35de2bb…0beda7Never scannednever seen before
- cb96718f7ef83319472e…8016a3Never scannednever seen before
- 388a796580234efc95f3…136f95Never scannednever seen before
- d747bb93d4e936ddd57b…91c2ceNever scannednever seen before
- aff176577a3eeac4e93e…38512eNever scannednever seen before
- 2f6294f9aa09f59a574b…a0f8fcNever scannednever seen before
- 13f689c7c8d93a546ae2…aff554Never scannednever seen before
- 8883643f9f7b6d461fb4…e9ba98Never scannednever seen before
Detection & Forensics
Consensus, attribution, signatures, code structure, prevalence, and identity.
Evidence integrity
Chain of custody for the facts preserved in this report.
- 2rule hits recorded
- 1 / 75engines flagged
- 1,399sources in submission history
Why these facts are shown
Each statement identifies whether it was directly recorded or derived from saved scan facts.
- 01
1 high-confidence signature or behavior rule matched this file.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceDerivedSourceSignature and behavior rulesObserved at - 02
1 of 75 antivirus engines flagged the file, including Trapmine.
Verdict inputView chapterProvenanceObservedSourceAntivirus analysisObserved at - 03
The hash has a long, established submission history across 1,399 sources.
ProvenanceDerivedSourceSubmission historyObserved at - 04
Scanned file: Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe — 4826d76569018dd144d409ca12d7b0ac2305339c4e9f87e510bfc5ad00eccb39
ProvenanceObservedSourceUploaded fileObserved at - 05
Observed process — "C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.exe"
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 06
Observed process — "C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-VCPA3.tmp\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp" /SL5="$700E8,8713422,841728,C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.exe"
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 07
File written: RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-VCPA3.tmp\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.tmp
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 08
File written: _setup64.tmp — C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Temp\is-FQOQP.tmp\_isetup\_setup64.tmp
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 09
Contacted host: 192.168.0.8 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at - 10
Contacted host: 20.99.186.246 — Contact observed during runtime.
ProvenanceObservedSourceIsolated runtime analysisObserved at
Detection sources at a glance
Category: pua
Available reference checks returned no match, but at least one source was unavailable. This is not a clean result.
Signatures and behavior heuristics
A community signature or high-severity behavioral heuristic matched. Signatures identify known patterns; heuristics are strong leads but are not proof on their own.
The saved runtime evidence maps this activity to MITRE T1055 (Process Injection). The mapping supports possible process injection, but it does not prove the exact injection method or the operator's intent.
Evidence"C:\Users\<USER>\Desktop\RedGiant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.0.exe"The sample contacted an external IP address directly and no application domain was recorded. Direct-IP traffic also occurs in legitimate installers and infrastructure, so this is supporting context only and requires corroboration from host reputation and other runtime evidence.
Evidence20.99.186.246 · 152.195.19.97 · 20.99.133.109
1 of 75 engines flagged this file
View all 75 engine results
Section entropy & packers
No high-entropy executable section or known packer signature was detected. Data and resource sections can still have high entropy without indicating packed code.
How widely this file has been seen
Widely seen in the wild for a long time. High prior this is legitimate; isolated detections on common-old files are usually false positives.
Fingerprint and provenance
- File name
- Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe
- Format
- Win32 EXE
- Code signing
- No verified publisher
- Size
- 9.3 MB
- Last analyzed
- Aug 2, 2026, 4:45 PM UTC
4826d76569018dd144d409ca12d7b0ac2305339c4e9f87e510bfc5ad00eccb39Safety & 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.
- Recovery step 01
Don't run it unless you're certain it came from a source you trust.
- Recovery step 02
Check where you got it — an unexpected attachment or a random download link is a red flag.
- 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.
- 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.
Is Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe safe, or is it malware?
What is Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
How many antivirus engines detected Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
What should I do if I already ran Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
How do I remove Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
What kind of malware is Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
What is the SHA-256 hash of Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
How up to date is this analysis of Red Giant Activation Service Unlocker 2025.exe?
Community
Member reviews and reports for this exact file hash.