Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - It may be legitimate or potentially malicious depending on origin
Check file location and digital signature; avoid assuming safety
Warning
Multiple background threads possible
DarkSide Daemon may operate across services; monitor network activity
Can I Disable?
✔ YES with caution
If part of nonessential background tasks, disable startup or terminate via Task Manager; ensure you have backups
What is darkside-daemon.exe?
darkside-daemon.exe is a background Windows service component tied to the DarkSide software suite. It runs as a daemon to coordinate tasks, health monitoring, and inter-module communication for the DarkSide package. Depending on deployment, it may start at boot, run with elevated rights, and spawn helper processes for maintenance and logging.
DarkSide Daemon acts as the central controller for DarkSide modules. It uses Windows Service controls, inter-process communication, and multi-threading to manage tasks, status, and updates, while delegating work to worker processes to improve stability.
Quick Fact: DarkSide Daemon employs a modular, multi-process approach to distribute workloads and enhance resilience across its components.
Types of DarkSide Processes
- Service Process: Core Windows service for DarkSide components (1 instance)
- Worker Process: Background workers handling tasks for modules (multiple instances)
- Updater Process: Handles updates and integrity checks
- Telemetry/Logger: Collects status and logs for diagnostics
- Plugin/Extension Runner: Executes optional DarkSide plugins
- Utility Process: Background utilities and housekeeping
Is darkside-daemon.exe Safe?
Depends on origin and integrity. The legitimate DarkSide Daemon from trusted software sources is normally safe; if obtained from unverified downloads or unknown paths, treat as suspicious.
Is darkside-daemon.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real darkside-daemon.exe is not inherently a virus, but malware can imitate names. Always verify location and signature.
How to Tell if darkside-daemon.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\DarkSide\Daemon\darkside-daemon.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\DarkSide\Daemon\darkside-daemon.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a valid signature from "DarkSide Technologies" or the official vendor.
- Resource Usage: Normal background service may use modest CPU; sudden spikes or persistent high usage indicate undue activity.
- Behavior: Monitor for unexpected network activity or persistence mechanisms; legitimate software should not exhibit stealthy persistence without UI.
Red Flags: If darkside-daemon.exe is located outside standard directories (like Temp or AppData), runs at startup with no clear vendor, lacks a valid signature, or consistently uses high resources, scan with reputable antivirus tools. Beware of similarly named files in suspicious folders.
Why Is darkside-daemon.exe Running on My PC?
darkside-daemon.exe runs as a background service to manage DarkSide components, perform maintenance tasks, and facilitate communication between modules. It may start at boot or run when the main DarkSide app is active.
Reasons it's running:
- Active DarkSide Usage: You are running or interacting with a DarkSide-enabled application; the daemon coordinates modules and tasks across the suite.
- Background Module Activity: DarkSide modules run in the background for tasks like syncing, updates, or health checks even when the UI is not visible.
- Startup Configuration: The daemon may be configured to launch automatically at Windows startup for reliability.
- Telemetry and Diagnostics: It can collect status data and logs to support diagnostics and maintenance of the DarkSide suite.
- Scheduled Maintenance: Timed maintenance tasks or update checks can trigger the daemon to run even if user activity is low.
Can I Disable or Remove darkside-daemon.exe?
Yes, you can disable darkside-daemon.exe. If it is part of trusted software, disabling may affect functionality. Always ensure you have backups before modification.
How to Stop darkside-daemon.exe
- End User Tasks: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate darkside-daemon.exe, right-click and End Task
- Stop Service: Open services.msc, find DarkSide Daemon Service, click Stop
- Prevent Startup: In Task Manager > Startup, disable the DarkSide Daemon Service startup item
- Uninstall or Reconfigure: If the daemon is part of a larger DarkSide package, use Settings or Control Panel to uninstall or modify components
- Recheck After Changes: Reboot and confirm darkside-daemon.exe no longer runs; run a malware scan if you suspect tampering
How to Uninstall DarkSide Daemon
- ✔ Open Windows Settings > Apps > DarkSide Daemon > Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > DarkSide Daemon > Uninstall
- ✔ If still present, run a reputable malware removal tool and consider restoring from a clean backup
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If darkside-daemon.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Excessive Modules Active: Too many DarkSide modules or workers running concurrently can spike resource use. Review module load and disable unnecessary components.
- Background Extensions or Plugins: Disable nonessential plugins or modules within the DarkSide management console to reduce load.
- Outdated Software: Update DarkSide components to the latest version to fix performance regressions.
- Unexpected Extensions: Scan for and remove suspicious or unknown extensions that may be hijacking the daemon's resources.
- Malware or Cloned Binary: Run a full system malware scan; verify the binary path and signature before trusting the process.
- Network-Heavy Tasks: Limit or schedule network-intensive tasks; check firewall rules and monitor outbound connections.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager to identify high-usage modules or workers
2. Close or suspend unnecessary modules in the DarkSide console
3. Update DarkSide to the latest version
4. Run a system-wide malware scan and review network activity
5. Disable startup and review scheduled tasks related to DarkSide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is darkside-daemon.exe a virus?
Not by default. The file can be legitimate as part of a DarkSide software package, but it can also be masqueraded by malware. Verify its path (C:\Program Files\DarkSide\Daemon\darkside-daemon.exe) and ensure a valid signature from DarkSide Technologies.
Why is darkside-daemon.exe running when I didn’t install DarkSide?
It may be a leftover or bundled component, or a malicious copy. Inspect the file path, digital signature, and installed programs. Run a malware scan and remove any unauthorized copies.
How can I identify if it's legitimate?
Check the file location, verify the digital signature, monitor resource usage, and confirm it is listed in legitimate installed software. Contact the vendor if in doubt.
Can I remove darkside-daemon.exe safely?
Only if you do not rely on DarkSide components for essential tasks. Prefer uninstalling the full DarkSide package or using official tools, and back up data before removal.
What should I do if I suspect ransomware?
Isolate the affected machine, run full malware scans, backup critical data, and consider engaging incident response. Do not rely on the daemon's apparent legitimacy to ignore signs of compromise.
Where should darkside-daemon.exe be located?
Common legitimate locations include <code>C:\Program Files\DarkSide\Daemon\darkside-daemon.exe</code> or <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\DarkSide\Daemon\darkside-daemon.exe</code>. Any other path warrants verification.