What is ApnStub.exe?

ApnStub.exe is part of AskStub Application and developed by Ask.com according to the ApnStub.exe version information.

ApnStub.exe's description is "AskStub Application"

ApnStub.exe is digitally signed by Ask.com.

ApnStub.exe is usually located in the 'c:\Documents and Settings\Usuario\ConfiguraciĆ³n local\Temp\' folder.

None of the anti-virus scanners at VirusTotal reports anything malicious about ApnStub.exe.

If you have additional information about the file, please share it with the FreeFixer users by posting a comment at the bottom of this page.

Vendor and version information [?]

The following is the available information on ApnStub.exe:

PropertyValue
Product nameAskStub Application
Company nameAsk.com
File descriptionAskStub Application
Internal nameAskStub
Original filenameAskStub.exe
Legal copyrightCopyright (C) Ask 2010
Product version1.0.0.0
File version1.0.0.0

Here's a screenshot of the file properties when displayed by Windows Explorer:

Product nameAskStub Application
Company nameAsk.com
File descriptionAskStub Application
Internal nameAskStub
Original filenameAskStub.exe
Legal copyrightCopyright (C) Ask 2010
Product version1.0.0.0
File version1.0.0.0

Digital signatures [?]

ApnStub.exe has a valid digital signature.

PropertyValue
Signer nameAsk.com
Certificate issuer nameVeriSign Class 3 Code Signing 2004 CA
Certificate serial number286f8a30e2eac6965b936f826a05305d

VirusTotal report

None of the 49 anti-virus programs at VirusTotal detected the ApnStub.exe file.

None of the 49 anti-virus programs detected the ApnStub.exe file.

Filename variants

ApnStub.exe may also use other filenames. The most common variants are listed below:

Folder name variants

ApnStub.exe may also be located in other folders than c:\Documents and Settings\Usuario\ConfiguraciĆ³n local\Temp\. The most common variants are listed below:

Hashes [?]

PropertyValue
MD523ee55d0c183cc6e85c8fb97fb5973e8
SHA2561696415e21f97128683de57bc8e159b2c076577595416b50769a006c531007e5

Error Messages

These are some of the error messages that can appear related to apnstub.exe:

apnstub.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

apnstub.exe - Application Error. The instruction at "0xXXXXXXXX" referenced memory at "0xXXXXXXXX". The memory could not be "read/written". Click on OK to terminate the program.

AskStub Application has stopped working.

End Program - apnstub.exe. This program is not responding.

apnstub.exe is not a valid Win32 application.

apnstub.exe - Application Error. The application failed to initialize properly (0xXXXXXXXX). Click OK to terminate the application.

What will you do with ApnStub.exe?

To help other users, please let us know what you will do with ApnStub.exe:



What did other users do?

The poll result listed below shows what users chose to do with ApnStub.exe. 92% have voted for removal. Based on votes from 521 users.

User vote results: There were 480 votes to remove and 41 votes to keep

NOTE: Please do not use this poll as the only source of input to determine what you will do with ApnStub.exe.

Malware or legitimate?

If you feel that you need more information to determine if your should keep this file or remove it, please read this guide.

Please select the option that best describe your thoughts on the information provided on this web page


Free online surveys

And now some shameless self promotion ;)

A screenshot of FreeFixer's scan result.Hi, my name is Roger Karlsson. I've been running this website since 2006. I want to let you know about the FreeFixer program. FreeFixer is a freeware tool that analyzes your system and let you manually identify unwanted programs. Once you've identified some malware files, FreeFixer is pretty good at removing them. You can download FreeFixer here. It runs on Windows 2000/XP/2003/2008/2016/2019/Vista/7/8/8.1/10. Supports both 32- and 64-bit Windows.

If you have questions, feedback on FreeFixer or the freefixer.com website, need help analyzing FreeFixer's scan result or just want to say hello, please contact me. You can find my email address at the contact page.

Comments

Please share with the other users what you think about this file. What does this file do? Is it legitimate or something that your computer is better without? Do you know how it was installed on your system? Did you install it yourself or did it come bundled with some other software? Is it running smoothly or do you get some error message? Any information that will help to document this file is welcome. Thank you for your contributions.

I'm reading all new comments so don't hesitate to post a question about the file. If I don't have the answer perhaps another user can help you.

jenny C writes

3 thumbs

When I ended the process, AntiVir (Avira) stopped its online protection. I wonder why I need a "safer search" with an anti virus programme. I banned the process without problems on the system.

# 29 Jun 2011, 1:14

Kat writes

2 thumbs

Avira had just finished an auto update when Comodo Firewall alerted me to apnstub.exe . I've never received this particular alert before, however I did just upgrade to the newest release of Avira Free Personal (version 10.2.0.696) last week. For now I blocked apnstub.exe. If Avira starts to go wonky, and no malware shows up in Malwarebytes or other scans, I'll probably allow it.

# 30 Jun 2011, 8:40

Roger Karlsson writes

3 thumbs

Here's some info about ApnStub.exe:

"Some of our consumers have expressed concerned about the application apnstub.exe which connect to the Internet after Avira AntiVir Service Pack 2 (SP2) Update is installed. Please be assured that this is a authorized and legitimate system-check utility.

After the download of SP2, your AntiVir software checks whether the ASK-Toolbar is already installed on your computer. If the Toolbar is already present, AntiVir will not bother you with a slide-up alert asking you to install it. The apnstub.exe utility will do this check three times (the next three times that you reboot your computer). An additional check is done whenever the AntiVir setup dialog is displayed, in order to once again confirm the presence or absence of the Toolbar. If the ASK-Toolbar is already present, AntiVir will not offer you the setup option for installing the Avira-Toolbar.

The technical purpose for apnstub.exe and connection to apnmedia.ask.com is the following:

(a) To check the requirements for Avira-Toolbar with operating system and browser configuration
(b) To check whether there is already an Ask-Toolbar installed
(b) To ensure that customers are receiving the recent Avira-Toolbar if no Ask-Toolbar is installed".

Source:
http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=132916



Please note that no further information is collected or passed along by the Toolbar, by apnstub.exe, or by apnmedia.ask.com.

# 5 Sep 2011, 12:35

caro writes

2 thumbs

It might be, that Ask ist just a search engine trying to compete with google, but I ABSOLUTELY don't like, when I'm forced over and over again to install something I didn't ask for! Nomen est omen - the company ASK should act like their name, it would be more successful, than sneaking in at each possibility.
Caro

# 29 Sep 2011, 21:44

=Roger= writes

0 thumbs

Hi Roger ! Thanks very much for the info !
I suggest you put your full answer in the head of the page, because not sure if people read till the comments :
"Here's some info about ApnStub.exe:

"Some of our consumers have expressed concerned about the application apnstub.exe which connect to the Internet after Avira AntiVir Service Pack 2 (SP2) Update is installed. Please be assured that this is a authorized and legitimate system-check utility.
"
It's INCREDIBLE that ASK company install programs without informing people ! Of course, their program will be detected anyway. It just discredit ASK

# 20 Oct 2011, 16:21

Phuck Ask Dot Com writes

-1 thumb

This is a trojan from Ask.com that installs without permission when installing a lot of freeware apps. This is theft of services (computer time) and I will be filing a class action lawsuit against Ask.com.

# 1 May 2012, 14:59

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