The genuine hsssrv.exe file is a software component of Hotspot Shield by AnchorFree. HssSrv.exe is an executable file that is part of Hotspot Shield, a security program that lets users browse anonymously protect their personal information. This process runs the troubleshooting file that is bundled with this program. This file is not a critical Windows component and can be removed if known to create problems.
Hotspot Shield protects user identity, browsing location, browsing history, and provides complete anonymity over the Internet. The program provides a bypass around Internet censorship and restrictions letting users access to blocked websites. It also secures computers on WiFi networks and protects them from hackers and malicious programs trying to steal information. ExpatShield lets users hide their IP address and makes content available only in certain countries accessible from anywhere in the world.
AnchorFree is an American company that develops and distributes virtual private networks (VPNs) for safe web browsing. It offers software based on the freemium model - free to download and use but with advertising. Paid versions contain no ads. The company was founded by David Gorodyansky in 2005. AnchorFree currently has over 20 million monthly subscribers. It is headquartered in Mountain View, California, USA.
HsSSrv stands for Hotspot Shield Helper Service
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may in some cases harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the hsssrv.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Since 2005, file.net has helped users better understand and correctly identify Windows processes. Our own analysis, research, and the collective experience of our community provide reliable, easy-to-understand information. Around 10,000 users trust us every day.
Description: Hsssrv.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. The file hsssrv.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" (mostly C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\HssWPR\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Expat Shield\HssWPR\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 363,336 bytes (48% of all occurrences), 453,928 bytes and 10 more variants.
The program is not visible. Hsssrv.exe is a Verisign signed file. Hsssrv.exe is digitally signed. Hsssrv.exe is not a Windows system file. The file is a file with no information about its developer.
Therefore the technical security rating is 35% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
If there are any problems with hsssrv.exe, you may also want to uninstall Hotspot Shield or Expat Shield from your computer using the Control Panel applet Uninstall a Program.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as hsssrv.exe. Therefore, you should check the hsssrv.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Score
User Comments
It is part of Hotspot Shield. However trys to lure you to a anti malware site to download a program to get ride of the malware. Hotspot Shield itself does mask your ip... But the constant lure of malware I have questioned this program.
part of hotspot shield, necessary to mask your ip if the program itself is activated hss_user (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of hsssrv.exe:
based on 5 votes with 4 user comments.
One user thinks it's probably harmless.
One user suspects danger.
3 users think hsssrv.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
Best practices for resolving hsssrv issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with hsssrv. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the hsssrv.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
hss_user (further information)
Mehran
Raju Williams (further information)
Summary: Average user rating of hsssrv.exe: based on 5 votes with 4 user comments. One user thinks it's probably harmless. One user suspects danger. 3 users think hsssrv.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.