Many users download various programs every day without thinking. Each download can pose a potential danger. Even a popular diagnostic tool is now at risk.
Which software is affected? User OthoAi5657 points out in his Reddit post from April 10, 2026, that the CPUID website may have been hacked. According to the user, downloads from the website are affected and include malware, which antivirus programs mark as harmful.
The CPUID site is primarily known for its CPU-Z and HWMonitor programs. These are popular monitoring and diagnostic tools for your PC, which display current temperatures, fan speeds, and hardware information.
OthoAi made a total of three Reddit posts in the pcmasterrace subreddit on the same day, claiming to warn as many people as possible at once. The installer, according to him, was no longer in English, but a window with Russian text opened instead.
The user also attached a link to a virus check in his post. The check from Virustotal indicates that the file is compromised and brings dangerous content. Furthermore, users in the Reddit comments of the original post are divided on whether an update of older versions can download the malware.
Always double-check known download links
How do I know if I am affected? Currently, it is unclear what exactly is happening on the CPUID site. Many users believe that the site has been hacked or that download links are being redirected to spread malware.
We strongly advise against downloading software from the site as long as there is no official assurance that it is safe. Additionally, if you have already downloaded the programs, you should conduct a virus scan and then remove the applications (via Microsoft).
Even if the scanner does not alert, it is not worth the risk to keep the software. Opt for similar programs like MSI Afterburner. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also reset your PC to factory settings.
Nevertheless, there is always a chance that a download from the internet is harmful.
What can I do to protect myself? First of all, the most important thing is to always run your PC with antivirus software. By default, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is activated in Windows installations and is sufficient for most users.
If you prefer other antivirus programs, you can use them, but be careful not to run multiple different antivirus programs simultaneously, as they can negatively impact each other and jeopardize your protection. A YouTuber has demonstrated how to ruin your PC with pointless software in under 15 minutes.
Do not click on every link from the internet and look carefully at it before opening. If a link looks unusual or strange, trust your instincts. Because even official sites like the one from CPUID can be unreliable. But even games on Steam have been used to deliver harmful content to players: If you downloaded the wrong game on Steam a year ago, the FBI is looking for you – And yes, Valve emphasizes, this is the real FBI
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