Sihclient.exe Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is sihclient.exe?
sIHCLient.exe is a genuine Windows process that can be found running in Task Manager under the "SIH Client" name when the operating system starts fixing components required for automatic Windows updates. This genuine system file is placed in the "\Windows\System32\" folder.
In many cases, cyber criminals use this name and disguise malicious programs (processes) as sihclient.exe. Therefore, various anti-virus programs often recognize the legitimate SIHCLient.exe process as a threat and provide users with 'false positive' results.
Typically, anti-virus (and other similar) programs provide false positive results due to mistakes in malware databases - when these databases contain misleading information. As a consequence, legitimate files (such as SIHCLient.exe) are detected as malicious and are often removed.
These actions might result in loss of important operating system components/files, however, these cases are often reported and anti-virus software developers update their databases immediately. Unfortunately, malware developers can take advantage of this and have their malicious programs identified as harmless files.
Some files have names similar to SIHCLient.exe, for example, sihclient.exe (the filename is case-sensitive), or they have identical names but not placed not in the correct directory ("\Windows\System32\"). This means that the file is not a legitimate Windows system file and is malicious.
Furthermore, a legitimate SIHCLient.exe process (SIH Client) does not have an icon beside it when running in Task Manager. If a similar process is running with an icon beside it, this is definitely not a legitimate process. Note that sihclient.exe might operate as a Trojan and cause high-risk computer infections.
Additionally, it might be the reason behind high CPU usage and thus cause a significant reduction in computer performance. It could also affect internet browsing performance and cause unwanted redirects, display intrusive advertisements, and so on.
If there is a sihclient.exe or similar, dubious process running in Task Manager, we strongly recommend that you run a scan using installed anti-virus software and remove this file immediately. If the installed anti-virus suite does not detect it, try running the scan using other reputable programs.
| Name | sihclient.exe trojan |
| Threat Type | Trojan, password-stealing virus, Banking malware, Spyware, Potentially unwanted application, Cryptominer, Keylogger. |
| Detection Names (sihclient.exe) | DrWeb (Trojan.Siggen8.21967), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Injector.Autoit.DWI), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic), (BehavesLike.Win32.Downloader.dh), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Malicious Process Name(s) | sihclient.exe |
| Symptoms | Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim's computer and remain silent. Thus, no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software cracks. |
| Damage | Stolen banking information, passwords, identity theft, victim's computer added to a botnet. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are many other similar malicious files and cases of 'false positive' detections including, for example, Fuerboos, Trojan.gen.npe.2 and ERDNT.LOC. Legitimate files are sometimes identified as malicious and vice versa. If a background process is malicious, it should be removed immediately.
How did sihclient.exe infiltrate my computer?
There are different ways to proliferate malicious files/computer infections. Some commonly used methods are spam campaigns, Trojans, fake/third party software updating tools, untrustworthy software download channels, and third party software activation ('cracking') tools. Cyber criminals use spam campaigns to proliferate infections via attachments (or web links).
These are malicious files that, if opened, download and install malware. Some examples of files used to proliferate viruses are Microsoft Office documents, executables (.exe and other files), archives (RAR, ZIP and others), PDF documents and JavaScript files. Another way to proliferate malicious programs is using Trojans.
When installed, they cause chain infections - they download/install viruses. Fake, unofficial software updaters cause harm by exploiting outdated software bugs, flaws or by downloading and installing malware rather than updates, fixes. Various dubious software download sources can be used to proliferate malware.
Commonly used channels are Peer-to-Peer networks (such as torrent clients, eMule), freeware download websites, free file hosting websites, third party downloading tools and so on. These channels can be used to present malicious files as harmless, however, if downloaded and opened, they cause computer infections.
Another way to infect computers is via software 'cracking' tools that people use to bypass paid activation of installed software or operating systems. Rather than activating software, these tools often download and install malicious software.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Emails that are irrelevant and received from unknown, suspicious email addresses should not be trusted, especially if they contain attachments or web links. Software should be downloaded using official and trustworthy sources, and not third party, dubious channels.
Operating systems should be updated through implemented tools or functions provided by the official developers only. The same applies to software activation. Various third party ('cracking') tools are illegal and cause unwanted installations and damage systems.
Have reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware software installed and enabled at all times. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
sihclient.exe detected as a threat by various anti-virus engines:
Malicious sihclient.exe process running in Task Manager (note that it has a black icon and the process name is not SIH Client, which is the genuine process SIHClient.exe is designed to run):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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Quick menu:
- What is sihclient.exe?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of sihclient.exe malware.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically.
To remove this malware we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu".
Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options".
In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck the "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs.
These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
Outstanding!
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