Dynamic Link Libraries: What are they? What of them?

Have you ever wondered what DLLs are, what they do and why do you need them? Here is a brief users' guide to dynamic link libraries. If you know what they are then you know that you need to secure them like any other bit of data resident on your PC.

A DLL or dynamic link library is, simply put, a collection of small software programs any of which are called up by a larger program (e.g., Microsoft Word) that is running on your computer. The components of DLLs have several functions including calling up a specific device such as a printer or a CD or DVD player to perform a specific operation such as printing or playing music or a movie. DLL files that support specific device operation are known as device drivers.

In tech-talk, DLL files are dynamic libraries linked from and to applications that use them during program execution for specific operations instead of being compiled into the main program. These sub-components are stored in separate files and may be identified through their three-letter extension reflecting the acronym.

One of the advantages of having DLL files is to save putting a burden on your computer's memory since DLLs are not loaded into RAM until the file is needed. In other words, the print driver will not be loaded as long as you are editing your Word document. Once you click on the print button, Word runs the printer DLL to print your document.

The screenshot below shows an example of the DLL files each and every process will be running.

This screenshot, taken from WinTasks, shows the various DLLs related to Microsoft Word. The following screenshot shows the DLLs tied to your system.

Your computer therefore may have hundreds of DLL programs that are waiting to be activated (or are already activated) as soon as the required operation is needed. Some DLLs are required for you to utilise the Windows and program graphical user interfaces; others are used to connect to the Internet or to send emails; others still are called by your audio programs to drive your sound card. Some are common to many programs, others are not.

Irrespective of their function, DLLs are very important and should be interfered with only extreme cases.

Part Two: DLLs and System Secuity

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