GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
searchhook.dll file report
Why it matters
Evidence available for this file
No final classification is available yet.
Potentially unwanted programs, bundlers, installers, and utilities with intrusive behavior. Related PUP reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2017-05-26 03:10:12 (9 years ago); latest analysis 2025-02-07 23:01:28 (a year ago).
Company metadata: APN LLC.. Product metadata: Search Hook.
Signed by APN LLC. The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Use the hash and metadata below to verify the exact file identity.
- Review publisher, signature, paths, and PE details for inconsistencies.
- Run a local scan if the file appears unexpectedly or starts with Windows.
File context
searchhook.dll is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Search Hook. The reported company name is APN LLC.. The current detection status is Undefined, based on the latest analysis from 2025-02-07 23:01:28 (a year ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with PUP reports for broader family-level investigation.
ThreatInfo does not have a final classification for this file yet. Use the technical details below to compare the hash, size, signature, and observed locations with the copy found on your device.
File Details
| Product Name: | Search Hook |
| Company Name: | APN LLC. |
| MD5: | 0a3ec8a1752627bab702ff1ed0b6fb7b |
| Size: | 71 KB |
| First Published: | 2017-05-26 03:10:12 (9 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2025-02-07 23:01:28 (a year ago) |
| Status: | Undefined (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2025-02-07 23:01:28 (a year ago) |
Overview
| Signed By: | APN LLC |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on searchhook.dll is reported as valid. A valid signature helps confirm publisher identity, but it does not automatically make the file safe if the installer was bundled, abused, or downloaded from an untrusted source.
Common Places:
| %programfiles%\askpartnernetwork\toolbar\orj-spe\source\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\inetcache\ie\asktoolbarinstaller-orj-spey9kv76yh.7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %programfiles%\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\asktoolbarinstaller-orj-spexonqergk.7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\asktoolbarinstaller-orj-sped158e5k8.7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\asktoolbarinstaller-orj-spe[6].7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\inetcache\ie\asktoolbarinstaller-orj-spe[2].7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\asktoolbarinstaller-ars3-v7[1].7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %system%\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\asktoolbarinstaller-orj-spe6kdpmtbp.7z\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
| %sysdrive%\adwcleaner\quarantine\uszbaufkrf\toolbar\orj-spe\source\program files\askpartnernetwork\toolbar |
ThreatInfo has observed searchhook.dll in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen searchhook.dll across 25 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is United States with 20.0% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
The most common operating system signal for searchhook.dll is Windows 7 with 46.5% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
searchhook.dll is identified as pe for 32-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows GUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
1a2bb8c4bf2c53ec8bd67751c583a4db
bb0576cb2fe93587512cbf3f1e7ea422
306529d0a6bee0ea74f642eac2cfb5b4
545d117a639a21f9650da201db686c6e
285615f6e16a2eff3e47e1cabf3fa3ab
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
Report conclusion
This file is still under review
ThreatInfo has not assigned a final verdict yet. Compare the file hash, location, signature, and publisher before trusting the file on a production system.