PC Pitstop is the undisputed leader in PC diagnostics. Our running process library is culled from our database of over 100 million PC diagnostics and scans.

Tip from the PitCrew

Each and every process running on your computer takes up CPU cycles and valuable memory. For optimal PC performance and resource utilization, you should be aware of every process on your computer. PC Pitstop designed this process library to help you know which processes are worthwhile and others that slow system performance.

Furthermore, perhaps the quickest and most straight forward method to detect malware is through a running process analysis.

Process Library

  
PC Pitstop Libraries > Process Library > hkcmd.exe

More than one possible match was found; all matches are listed below.

Match #1

hkcmd.exe (W32.Pahatia.A)

PC Pitstop Analysis

hkcmd.exe - hkcmd.exe filename has been known to contain a virus. W32.Pahatia.A is a worm that can spread by copying itself into local folders and mapped network drives, and attempts to restart the compromised computer if certain processes are running.

Recommendation

CA AntiVirus

hkcmd.exe is a VIRUS. Stop all work until the virus is removed or you run the risk of spreading the virus to other people. Worse yet, the virus may be doing harm to your computer and your information.

hkcmd.exe is a virus and should be removed immediately to avoid doing further harm. PC Pitstop recommends CA Antivirus in these types of situations.

Identification

The file name alone identifies this program.

PC Pitstop Database Comparisons

Every week, we update our information about the running programs identified during the previous week's testing. This program has not been seen on any systems tested at PC Pitstop in the past week.

Detailed Description and/or Removal Instructions

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2006-053012-1545-99&tabid=2

Match #2

hkcmd.exe (Intel Hotkeys)

PC Pitstop Analysis

hkcmd.exe is part of the drivers for boards with Intel 81x graphics chips. Allows you to define hotkey combinations to change video resolutions. This is not something that most users do often, and it can be done through Control Panel (Intel Graphics icon) or Desktop Properties pretty quickly. We recommend stopping this task to save resources and prevent accidental use of the hotkey feature.

Recommendation

CA AntiVirus

hkcmd.exe uses excessive system and memory resources with no corresponding benefit. Applications such as these should be disabled to improve overall system performance.

hkcmd.exe is a virus and should be removed immediately to avoid doing further harm. PC Pitstop recommends CA Antivirus in these types of situations.

Identification

In addition to the file name, hkcmd.exe, the following version information is used to identify the file. If the file does not match this information, it may be a different file. To ensure the file is absolutely correct, run a free and comprehensive scan.

Vendor contains:Intel Corporation
Product contains:Common User Interface
File name contains:\System32\

To view version information with Windows Explorer, right-click the file and click Properties, Version.

PC Pitstop Database Comparisons

Every week, we update our information about the running programs identified during the previous week's testing. hkcmd.exe (Intel Hotkeys) has been seen on 15.83% of systems tested at PC Pitstop. As a point of comparison, it is rare for a particular malicious program (virus or spyware) to be seen on more than one or two percent of all systems tested.

PCs running this program did not have a high average CPU load during testing, which indicates it does not consume a great deal of CPU time on most systems.

Important note: A file name alone may not be enough for positive identification. PC Pitstop's full tests and spyware scan use information such as the company name, product name, or install directory. If you are unable to identify a file, ask about it in our forums after running our full tests.