MalwareTips
Threat LensFile scan report

Is ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe safe?

Verdict
Suspicious

Three high-trust engines identify ConnectWise remote-administration capability, while the verified ConnectWise signature suggests legitimate software that still requires source and authorization checks.

The installer is signed by ConnectWise, but 10 of 75 engines flagged it and three high-trust engines agree that it provides ConnectWise remote-administration functionality. Because the exact file is newly observed, has limited signer history, and lacks runtime evidence, use it only when obtained through an expected, authorized support channel.

Do not run it until verified

Run this installer only if an authorized administrator or support provider supplied it through a verified channel and the hash matches their expected package. Otherwise, quarantine it and keep endpoint protection enabled while seeking confirmation.

Read the full analysis
Saved file evidenceAntivirus consensus
10of 75 flagged
Flagged 10No detection 65
Digital specimenScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exebfec1fa588a7961eba…3a96a8a2b29fe7
Size19.8 MB
Code signingConnectWise
SandboxPartial coverage
First seenToday
Evidence3 priority signals
10 of 75 antivirus engines flagged the file, including DrWeb and ESET-NOD32.

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.

86%Confidence
Very high
Analyst conclusion

The installer is signed by ConnectWise, but 10 of 75 engines flagged it and three high-trust engines agree that it provides ConnectWise remote-administration functionality. Because the exact file is newly observed, has limited signer history, and lacks runtime evidence, use it only when obtained through an expected, authorized support channel.

Where this verdict could be wrong4 caveats
  • The executable has a verified 'ConnectWise' signature and brandMismatch.detected is not present, supporting an authentic commercial remote-support build.
  • 14 of 17 tier-1 engines did not flag the sample, and several detections explicitly call it riskware, remote administration, or a potentially unsafe application rather than a trojan.
  • externalIntel.yaraify.ruleCount=0 and externalIntel.malwareBazaar.hit=false, although absence of those hits does not establish benignity.
  • peAnalysis.highEntropyCode=false and peAnalysis.likelyPacked=false, providing no static indication of code packing.

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

Run this installer only if an authorized administrator or support provider supplied it through a verified channel and the hash matches their expected package. Otherwise, quarantine it and keep endpoint protection enabled while seeking confirmation.

Scan transparency

Coverage & freshness

3 of 5 complete

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

  • Antivirus

    Complete

    10 of 75 engines flagged the file.

  • Sandbox

    Partial

    Runtime data is present, but no completed sandbox environment is recorded.

  • Network

    Not run

    No contacted-host reputation check is recorded.

    No timestamp recorded

  • YARA

    Complete

    Rule evaluation completed with no recorded matches.

  • External intel

    Complete

    3 of 3 independent reference sources completed.

Chapter 03

Behavior

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

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.

9 evidence-based answers
Is ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe safe, or is it malware?
Evidence-based answer
ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe is suspicious — treat it as unsafe until you're sure. 10 of 75 antivirus engines flag it (family: ConnectWise Control); 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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe?
Evidence-based answer
ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe is a Windows executable program (application/x-msdownload), about 19.8 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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe?
Evidence-based answer
10 of 75 antivirus engines flagged ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe, 10 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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe?
Evidence-based answer
To remove ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe?
Evidence-based answer
ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.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 ConnectWise Control 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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe digitally signed?
Evidence-based answer
Yes — ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe carries a valid digital signature from ConnectWise, 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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe?
Evidence-based answer
The SHA-256 hash of ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe is bfec1fa588a7961eba59abb53e33f336423c3ef8774654d3723a96a8a2b29fe7, and its MD5 is a19b91107656adede35418fc2eb2704d. 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 ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.exe?
Evidence-based answer
This report reflects the scan run on October 5, 2026. Because a file's hash never changes, the identity of ScreenConnect.ClientSetup.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.