You should note that your PC hosts important files that you cannot see when browsing files such as reports, spreadsheets, pictures, and many more in Windows Explorer. A good example of such a system file is rundll32.exe. This system file runs in the background, secretly helping different programs to manage your productivity. Ideally, you do not have to gather a lot of information about this process, and you may not need to run it. However, some basic information about can help you identify threats to your computer.

Dynamic Link Libraries

Most third-party apps and Windows apps use certain functionalities found in libraries in the Windows System folder. These libraries help simplify the developer’s work and save on disk space. Since applications can execute functions that exist in the System32 folder, the developers do not have to write any code to perform the function. Moreover, they do not have to include the code in the installation file when you download the program. You can even run DLLs from the command prompt. You only need to type “rundll32.exe” and DLL you want to run.

When You Encounter Rundll32.exe

Maybe you use Windows Task Manager to check different processes running in the background and come across the rundll32 process. Most users think that their computer is infected by a virus when they see rundll32 in the list of processes running. The truth is that rundll32.exe is safe, and it cannot cause damage to the computer. Therefore, you do not have to stop the process or remove it. In fact, it is a critical process for the performance of the computer.

Precautions

You should note that virus developers assign names to the viruses they create. As a result, they can name some viruses rundll32.exe to cause confusion among users. If you have some knowledge of computers, you can easily differentiate this. For instance, if the fake process is running, it cannot appear in Standard Windows System32. As you know, malware and viruses can compromise the privacy of your information and even steal the business information and even destroy the files on the hard drive. You can run the antivirus scanner when you discover the process you believe is hiding as official rundll32.exe.

How to Identify Fake Rundll32.exe

You can use the task manager to spot fake rundll32.exe processes. In this case, you can view running processes by clicking the empty area near the computer clock and open the Task Manager. You can then view the processes running and check the pathname of rundll32.exe. If the process is not associated with the Windows System32 folder, then it is fake.