MalwareTips
Threat LensFile scan report

Is CheatEngine77.exe safe?

Verdict
Malicious

Malicious file assessment

7 high-confidence signature or behavior rules matched this file.

Do not run this file

Do not run this file

Read the full analysis
Saved file evidenceAntivirus consensus
22of 73 flagged
Flagged 22No detection 51
Digital specimenCheatEngine77.exe5cc02964795e405e5b…8a42919ba434d8
Size6.6 MB
Code signingPlooto Inc
SandboxRuntime complete
First seen1d ago
Evidence3 priority signals
7 high-confidence signature or behavior rules matched this file.

Recommended next actions

01

Before running

Do not run it. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.

02

If you already ran it

Disconnect from the internet, start a full or offline antivirus scan, then secure important accounts from a clean device.

Chapter 02

Intelligence

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

No saved analyst narrative

This report keeps the verified scan facts available below without inventing an analysis that was not saved with the scan.

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

    22 of 73 engines flagged the file.

  • Sandbox

    Complete

    1 isolated runtime environment contributed observations.

  • Network

    Partial

    11 of 26 contacted hosts were cross-checked; coverage is incomplete.

  • YARA

    Complete

    9 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
  • 19MITRE ATT&CK techniques
  • 14spawned processes
  • 33network contacts
  • 8filesystem & mutex artifacts

What this file does

Observed actions and their security significance

  • High concern: Accessed operating-system credential data, which can expose saved passwords.

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

  • High concern: Searched files or settings where passwords and keys may be stored.

  • High concern: Accessed browser or password-store data that may contain saved logins.

  • 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.

Threat context

How bundlers & adware work

This is a bundler — a real-looking installer that hides extra software inside. When you run it, it quietly installs things you never asked for: ad injectors, browser toolbars, fake 'PC cleaner' apps, or even more bundlers. The people behind it get paid for every unwanted app they sneak on.

Bottom line:It's not usually built to destroy files, but it slows your PC, floods it with ads, and can be a real pain to fully remove.

Recorded behavior

Attack story

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

ObservedDerived

7 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

This file is dangerous. Treat it as harmful and remove it.

  1. Recovery step 01

    Don't run this file. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.

  2. Recovery step 02

    If you already ran it, disconnect from the internet and start with a full antivirus scan or Microsoft Defender Offline scan. If compromise is suspected or the problem persists, use a reputable second-opinion scanner and follow incident-recovery or clean-reinstall guidance.

  3. Recovery step 03

    From a different, clean device, change the passwords on your important accounts (email and banking first) and turn on two-factor authentication.

  4. Recovery step 04

    Get a fresh copy from the developer's official site or an official app store.

Safety FAQ

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

9 evidence-based answers
Is CheatEngine77.exe malware?
Evidence-based answer
Yes — CheatEngine77.exe is malicious. Do not run it. Delete this file from the device, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash. 22 of 73 antivirus engines flag it (family: offercore). It behaves as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUA) — not always destructive, but it bundles ads, trackers, or unwanted changes you didn't ask for. If you've already run it, see the removal and recovery steps below.
What is CheatEngine77.exe?
Evidence-based answer
CheatEngine77.exe is a Windows executable program, about 6.6 MB. Our analysis identifies it as malicious (family: offercore) — adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUA) — not always destructive, but it bundles ads, trackers, or unwanted changes you didn't ask for. Because a file's name and icon can be faked, the safest way to identify it is by its cryptographic hash (below), not its filename.
How many antivirus engines detected CheatEngine77.exe?
Evidence-based answer
22 of 73 antivirus engines flagged CheatEngine77.exe, 22 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. The malicious verdict comes from the complete saved evidence, not from this antivirus count by itself.
I already downloaded and ran CheatEngine77.exe — what should I do?
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 CheatEngine77.exe?
Evidence-based answer
To remove CheatEngine77.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 CheatEngine77.exe?
Evidence-based answer
CheatEngine77.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 offercore 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.
Is CheatEngine77.exe digitally signed?
Evidence-based answer
Yes — CheatEngine77.exe carries a valid digital signature from Plooto Inc, which confirms the file hasn't been tampered with since that publisher signed it. A valid signature is a positive signal, but note that malware is occasionally signed with stolen or abused certificates, so it isn't proof of safety on its own.
What is the SHA-256 hash of CheatEngine77.exe?
Evidence-based answer
The SHA-256 hash of CheatEngine77.exe is 5cc02964795e405e5b5d762548541b46e19d880af4315b9abf8a42919ba434d8, and its MD5 is 0de678b499f8fc64f1e8ed8682c5c754. 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 CheatEngine77.exe?
Evidence-based answer
This report reflects the scan run on July 10, 2026. Because a file's hash never changes, the identity of CheatEngine77.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.