What’s proton-bridge.exe (Proton Mail Bridge)? Is it safe or a virus?

Proton-bridge.exe is an application by Proton AG that enables users to integrate Proton Mail with third-party email clients such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail. The Proton Mail Bridge works by running locally on the user's computer and encrypting/decrypting emails in real-time, ensuring that Proton Mail’s end-to-end encryption is maintained even when accessed through external email applications. This tool allows users to bypass Proton Mail's web client or dedicated app while still enjoying the security and privacy features of Proton Mail, including encryption for messages and metadata while interacting seamlessly with desktop email setups.

Below are 4 simple steps you can take to see if the proton-bridge.exe process is safe or malware.

Researched by Laura @ SpyShelter Labs

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More about proton-bridge.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes proton-bridge.exe (Proton Mail Bridge)?

We’ve found Proton AG should be the publisher of proton-bridge.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 11, 2025

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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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