In the neverending online game between hackers and potential victims, new methods of hiding malicious code always seem to be employed frequently. More and more we are seeing cybercriminals hiding malware, ransomware, and Trojans behind the names of legitimate and common computer processes that we may encounter on a daily basis.
One such process that can be hijacked for malicious purposes is UnrealCEFSubProcess. This process belongs to an Epic Games software app, which includes Unreal Engine or Epic Games Launcher. The legitimate UnrealCEFSubProcess can monitor other applications on the system and is signed with Verisign.
The legitimate UnrealCEFSubProcess will have no visible window even when it’s active on your system. The file associated with the process should reside in a Program Files subfolder in the C/Drive. Despite the fact that the process is not essential to run Windows, it may still cause some problems should it not be functioning properly. To fix issues related to the legitimate UnrealCEFSubProcess, you can uninstall the entire program that contains it and reinstall it from an official source.
When malware creators make use of the process name, they create a fake UnrealCEFSubProcess that looks like a benign application in the Task Manager list of processes, making it harder to detect and eliminate on infected systems. Therefore, should you find an UnrealCEFSubProcess file located outside of its expected directory, it could be a sign that your computer is harboring a rogue program, especially if it is located in the C/Drive’s Windows folder.
How Do I Deal with an Illegitimate UnrealCEFSubProcess?
You should regularly conduct security audits of all running processes to ensure that any malicious variants of the UnrealCEFSubProcess and other unfamiliar processes are identified and removed using a reputable malware remediation tool. Doing this regularly can help reduce the chances of a malware infection posing as the legitimate UnrealCEFSubProcess process. Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates can help minimize the risk of compromise from malicious actors. By proactively monitoring and managing system processes, organizations and individuals can ensure that their networks remain secure and protected.
