UPDATE from 12th April 2026: This problem is fixed by the owner of the website. It's not a virus anymore.
But this post should be a example for the future to always be careful with downloading software from the internet. Even if you've trusted a website for years, you can still have bad luck like I did and download malicious software. Hackers always find a way to harm others. Unfortunately, such people do exist.

Post from 10th April 2026:

I want to warn you guys.
After a long time, i opening HWMonitor again on my PC.
it is version 1.42
i checked in the application if there was any update and yes.
the application told me to update to 1.63
i clicked on update and the official cpuid page open

i followed the page to download the latest version.
the file was called "HWiNFO_Monitor_Setup.exe"
after the download my Windows Defender instantly detecting a virus.
(because i am often working with programms which triggering the defender i just ignored that) i start the exe and a russian install programm opening...
i was confused and i canceld the installation.

i upload the file on virus total and i got this results:
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/eefc0f986dd3ea376a4a54f80ce0dc3e6491165aefdd7d5d6005da3892ce248f

i delete the exe after it.

a friend of me send me version 1.61 called "hwmonitor_1.61.exe"

no virus detected on my system and on virus total.

i checked the version history.
when i try to download 1.62 then the server gives me this "hwmonitor_1.62.exe"

after that i tried to change the download link from
cpuid.com/downloads/hwmonitor/hwmonitor_1.62.exe
to
cpuid.com/downloads/hwmonitor/hwmonitor_1.63.exe

and the download link was valid and seems be the original link!!! i got "hwmonitor_1.63.exe"
when i upload the "hwmonitor_1.63.exe" on virus total then there is also no virus..

So please guys be very careful what you download on the internet.
Even the most trustworthy websites can contain nasty traps.

If anyone knows how to contact the site operators as quickly as possible, I would be very grateful.

I saw that there's a contact form on the website...

But after what happened, I'm reluctant to enter my data like my email address on the website.

Just a quick question when I look up hw monitor I see a few downloads such as cpuid and some others and I don’t know what one is official so could someone tell me what’s the official one

I know the image is poor, sorry about that, but you folks can read it, Is this legit? What’s MHz are these ? My cpu is humble, i5 10400f Thank you all for the opinions.

Just wondering, because I've run Cyperpunk on UltraRT and thermals sit anywhere between high 70s and mid 80s, and I can clearly feel the heat above my case if I touch it.

However, sometimes (randomly) when running not nearly as intensive games it will sit around high 80s and 90s on HWMonitor, and it is clearly not hot at whatsoever. I ran Diablo 2 resurrected and my GPU (RTX 3080) was at a comfortable 45-50, but the CPU was at high 80s, even 90 (again, not warm at all) .

I know most recommend using HWinfo, so I'm wondering if this is a common thing for HWMonitor. Thanks!

Why use one over the other? Or both the same?

HWMonitor is tell me that the temp of my CPU is at 97 degrees Celsius, or 206.6 degrees Fahrenheit. I really doubt that my CPU is running over 200 degrees and still in a solid form.

Edit: I have an APU, but the graphics part of it is only running at 45 degrees Celsius

Update April 10, 11:38 AM (UTC) : Might be fixed, would recommend holding off for now from downloading.

ALERT: The CPUID website that hosts HWMonitor, CPU-Z, and other software, has been hacked and was redirecting to infected installers; this also affected updates made through both software.

Thought of posting this especially since people come here to get help.
Unsure of which relevant subreddits to post so please spread especially if confirmed.

Link to story here(not affiliated with the person who made the story):

TWITTER:

https://x.com/renan_maniero/status/2042422634101583978

REDDIT:

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1sh4e5l/warning_hwmonitor_163_download_on_the_official/

Edit:

Taken from the subreddit post:

They added a statement:

Hi,

Investigations are still ongoing, but it appears that a secondary feature (basically a side API) was compromised for approximately six hours between April 9 and April 10, causing the main website to randomly display malicious links (our signed original files were not compromised). The breach was found and has since been fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience. I did my best to fix that mess as soon as possible :-/

So if you downloaded it before April 9th then you are fine... (me too phew)

It's good idea to check the digital signature before running anything from now on.

from u/siwan1995

Hello! So i started using HWMonitor today, and a few question came to my mind. I'm not aiming to become a computer genius, so it's fine if you simplify your answer.

• If i want to track basic stuff, what should i mainly look for?

• What is GPU "Hot spot"?

• Does the "Hot spot" apply to more things, like the Cpu for example?

The reason i want to track while gaming, is simply because i wanna know when my CP is working a lot vs not at all. I have a fairly new PC, so i don't have any specific issues atm.

PS: I have no clue if this question is related to this thread, and if not, please send a link to the right one if you know.

Or would you recommend a different program altogether? Please provide an explanation so I know why you're recommending one software over the other.

I just upgraded to a Legion Pro 7i (Gen 8), but I used to use a HP Omen 15, so I'm used to monitoring temperature through the Omen Command Center.

Or would you recommend a different program altogether? Please provide an explanation so I know why you're recommending one software over the other.

I just upgraded to a Legion Pro 7i (Gen 8), but I used to use a HP Omen 15, so I'm used to monitoring temperature through the Omen Command Center.

Hi all,

Any recommendations for a graphical hardware monitor? I used to use modbros because it had a simple way to display the specs you wanted - but that was many years ago and I can’t figure out the new version, and tbh the cost is a little ridiculous.

I have a small 5 inch screen that I have setup as my “monitor” for the system - so would like something I can continue to use that for. Libre is good but the gadget is pretty small without being able to resize to fill the mini screen.

Why does Hwmonitor exist when why does this app exist and still keeps getting updates and why ppl still make issue posts using it

HWinfo is better,accurate, more features, and is not limited in the free version

It is not accurate, and almost all posts with intel cpus show the cpu using like 20-21w and running like 90c, only for them to get a comment saying "Hwmonitor is not accurate, use Hwinfo", for them to find out they are pulling 90w at +100c

As the titles summs, which of those is the best for temps monitoring? Have used HWinfo before clean installing W10 and cleaning CMOS (had a bunch of errors because a I switched from 1600 AF + B450M DS3H to 5600X + B550-F Gaming (Wi-Fi), and the software always showed my clocks as 4.6GHx ot 3.2GHz, so I gave it up, but I don't really know if it was a bug from the hardware switch, so I'm asking here now, which one is better? Will not use Ryzen Master, MSI Afterburner or lowkeys software, I rather stick with one of those.

i have been using hwmonitor pro, but now you have pay for a licence and cant afford it, anyway is there a free software that can monitor temperatures?

I remember back in the 1st gen Ryzen days HWMonitor used to be way off! How accurate is it nowadays! It always reports my 5950x hitting up to 80c while gaming with an Aorus AIO 360mm rad!

Troubleshooting Help:

What is your parts list?

• CPU: Ryzen 3600

• MB: MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC

• Graphics: EVGA 3080 FTW3

• The 3 power connectors are connected via 2 wires from PSU (1 is daisy chained)

• PSU: SeaSonic 850W plat

• RAM: 2x 8GB (confirmed dual channel in CPU-Z)

• Cooling: 2x 140mm intake fans, 2x 120mm exhaust fans, 1x 120mm CPU fan (U12S cooler)

• Case: Meshify 2 Compact

Describe your problem. List any error messages and symptoms. Be descriptive.

I get occasional lag when playing games and want to make sure there are no issues.

List anything you've done in attempt to diagnose or fix the problem.

In HWMonitor I am seeing a lot of items in the Performance section (Power, Temp, Reliable Voltage, Operational Voltage, etc.) all hitting "1".

Screenshots of HWMonitor after gaming for an hour or so:

• https://imgur.com/hSx69Ow

• https://imgur.com/yjlkIfT

Provide any additional details you wish below.

I plan on tweaking my fan curves a bit, though it looks like my CPU and GPU temps are within reason based on searching through other posts. I am mostly concerned with hitting the limits and what that really means.

I would love someone more knowledgeable than me to take a glance at some of the numbers and let me know if I can do anything else to make things better/smoother.