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What’s a2cmd.exe (Emsisoft Command Line Scanner)? Is it safe or a virus?

The a2cmd.exe file is part of the Emsisoft Command Line Scanner, developed by Emsisoft Limited. It is a powerful tool designed to detect and remove malware, viruses, spyware, and other malicious software from a computer through command-line interface operations. It is particularly useful for advanced users, IT administrators, or automation scripts, as it allows malware scans and removal tasks to be performed without a graphical interface. This makes it suitable for troubleshooting, remote management, and running in restricted or lightweight environments. The scanner integrates Emsisoft’s dual-engine detection technology, offering a thorough and efficient malware analysis process.

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

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A Trojan is a harmful software that pretends to be a legitimate program or file to deceive users into downloading it. It can steal personal information, damage files, or give hackers control over the infected device.

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More about a2cmd.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes a2cmd.exe (Emsisoft Command Line Scanner)?

We’ve found Emsisoft Limited should be the publisher of a2cmd.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: March 23, 2025

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Why should you trust us?

Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

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