Bpcheckexe 2021 (Recommended Summary)

As of 2021, Microsoft and HP both recommend migrating away from legacy ProtectTools to HP Client Security Manager (Gen 5+) or Windows native security features like BitLocker and Windows Hello.

Cybercriminals often name malware after legitimate processes. In 2021, several fake bpcheck.exe files were discovered in the wild, distributed via fake HP driver update pop-ups. bpcheckexe 2021

A real, safe bpcheck.exe will be located in one of these directories: As of 2021, Microsoft and HP both recommend

Crucial Check: Right-click the process in Task Manager → "Open file location." If the file is in C:\Windows\System32, C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming, or a Temp folder, that is a major red flag. Cybercriminals often name malware after legitimate processes

In mid-2021, an incident response team was called to a small logistics company. Their Windows Server 2008 R2 machine showed 100% CPU usage at random intervals. Task Manager revealed bpcheckexe.exe consuming 30% of CPU.

Upon investigation:

The verdict: A remote attacker had gained initial access via a weak RDP password, uploaded a DarkComet RAT disguised as bpcheckexe, and used it for keylogging and file exfiltration. Removal involved killing the process, deleting the file, and disabling the rogue scheduled task that re-created it on reboot.