keyhook.dll Download

What Is keyhook.dll?

The file keyhook.dll is a Windows dynamic‑link library (DLL), often associated with keyboard hook functionality. According to multiple sources, particularly file‑info databases, keyhook.dll is part of “Sony Utilities DLL” and is used to detect or map global hotkeys. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

In technical terms, it’s a component compiled to intercept keyboard events (keystrokes) before or as they are processed by other applications. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Because of its keyboard-hook behavior, it has raised security red flags: some anti‑malware tools flag it as potentially dangerous or intrusive. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Origins and Legitimacy

The legitimate variant of keyhook.dll appears to come from Sony’s “Utilities” suite. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} This variant is very small (often around 24,576 bytes). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} Because it’s signed (in some compiled forms), it may be part of software that uses keyboard shortcuts or hotkeys. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

However, the presence of keyhook.dll is not guaranteed to be safe: due to its very nature — intercepting keyboard events through hook mechanisms — malicious actors may disguise malware or keylogging payloads under the same name. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Is keyhook.dll Dangerous?

The security risk of keyhook.dll depends heavily on its origin and context. Legitimate versions tied to Sony utilities are generally harmless, whereas suspicious or unknown copies may pose serious threats.

Security Assessment by Antivirus Tools

According to herdProtect, a particular keyhook.dll file (MD5: fe9e251034a5ebde7dfbbb2e9b341249) is marked by several antivirus engines as “potentially unwanted.” :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} Although it is digitally signed by Lepide Software Pvt. Ltd., this does not necessarily guarantee safety. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

File‑info aggregators (like file.net) classify the technical security rating of some instances of keyhook.dll as “100% dangerous,” noting that the file can “record keystrokes” and that it is not a core Windows system file. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Possible Malicious Use Cases

Because keyhook.dll hooks keyboard events, it shares characteristics with keylogging functionality. It may also be used in DLL hijacking attacks or as a payload for malicious injection. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

In such a scenario, malware could masquerade as a benign DLL named “keyhook.dll” to persist on a system: a technique that has been observed in other threat landscapes. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Should You Download keyhook.dll?

Generally, trying to “download” keyhook.dll from third-party DLL repositories is risky. Many such sites are not trustworthy, and the file versions they provide may be compromised or outdated.

For example, DLL-specific download sites do host keyhook.dll, but they often don’t provide reliable publisher information. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Best Practices

• Avoid downloading DLLs separately: Instead of fetching a standalone DLL from an unverified repository, reinstall the legitimate application that should provide it (e.g., Sony Utilities), or repair the installation.
• Use antivirus / anti-malware scanners: Run a full system scan using reputable security software to detect any potentially dangerous versions of keyhook.dll on your machine. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Verify the digital signature: Check the DLL’s properties to confirm that it is signed by a trusted publisher. If it’s unsigned or signed by an unknown entity, raise suspicion.
• Monitor for unexpected behavior: Keep an eye on CPU, memory, or disk usage. If keyhook.dll is injected into unusual processes or causing system instability, further investigation is warranted.
• Create system restore points: Before making changes or running cleanup tools, set a restore point so if something goes wrong, you can roll back.

How to Remove or Clean keyhook.dll

If you suspect that keyhook.dll on your system is malicious or causing issues, here are steps to remove or neutralize it safely.

Manual Removal Steps

1. Open Task Manager or a more advanced security task monitor to locate processes that have loaded keyhook.dll. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
2. Once identified, stop the suspect process (if possible) or mark it for investigation.
3. Navigate to the file location on disk (often under `C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\` or similar). :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
4. Backup the DLL file (copy it to a secure location) to allow restoration if needed.
5. Remove or quarantine the file via an antivirus tool.
6. To clean up residual entries, consider using system tools like `sfc /scannow` (System File Checker) or even DISM on newer versions of Windows.

Reinstall / Repair Approach

If the keyhook.dll is actually part of legitimate software (for instance, Sony Utilities), it’s often safer to repair or reinstall the parent application instead of deleting the DLL outright. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Use the Windows “Add or Remove Programs” (or “Programs and Features”) interface to uninstall or repair the software that owns this DLL. After doing that, you can reinstall a clean version from a trustworthy source, or simply use built-in repair tools.

How Does Keyboard Hooking Work?

To understand why a DLL like keyhook.dll can be both useful and potentially dangerous, it’s helpful to review how keyboard hooking works in Windows.

Keyboard Hook Mechanics

In Windows, developers can set up keyboard hooks using API functions like SetWindowsHookEx to intercept system-wide or thread-specific keyboard events. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} With a system-wide hook, a DLL is injected into every process context so it can intercept keystrokes before they reach their target application. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

This powerful mechanism is intended for legitimate use: for example, applications that need to listen for global hotkeys or keyboard shortcuts. But, because any DLL with hooking logic can potentially capture all keystrokes, there is a risk if a malicious DLL assumes this role.

Why Some Keyloggers Use Hook DLLs

Keyloggers often exploit keyboard hook APIs by injecting a malicious DLL into other application processes. Once injected, the hook code runs in the context of those processes and captures keystroke data stealthily. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

Some sophisticated malware uses in-memory loading (reflective DLL injection) and avoids writing its DLL to disk, making detection by traditional antivirus harder. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

Conclusion

In summary, keyhook.dll is a DLL commonly associated with keyboard‑hook functions and hotkey recognition. While a legitimate version (from Sony Utilities) may be benign, variants of this file may pose security risks, especially if they are loaded by unknown or unwanted software.

Downloading the file from untrusted sources is not recommended. Instead, if you suspect an issue, scan your system, verify signatures, and, if needed, remove or repair the application that manages the DLL. Understanding how keyboard hooking works (via Windows APIs) helps clarify why this file sometimes shows up in security warnings.