SVCHOST.exe and Windows Automatic Update

[Lou]

I have Windows XP home edition running Norton Internet
Security and Antivirus.

I was continuing to receive messages from my internet
security that a generic host using SVCHOSt.exe was
attempting to access the internet. I configured a rule to
block further attempts.

Since creating this rule, I noticed I am not receiving
notifications that Windows has new updates available. Does
Windows Automatic Update notification use SVCHOST.exe to
chech for new updates????

Lou

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have Windows XP home edition running Norton Internet
Security and Antivirus.

I was continuing to receive messages from my internet
security that a generic host using SVCHOSt.exe was
attempting to access the internet. I configured a rule to
block further attempts.

Since creating this rule, I noticed I am not receiving
notifications that Windows has new updates available. Does
Windows Automatic Update notification use SVCHOST.exe to
chech for new updates????

Yes. SVCHost is a process that supports a whole slew of services for
the system. One of these is Automatic Update. You should allow SVCHost
('Generic Host Process for Windows Services') access to the Internet
(but not to act as a server)

 

[Plato]

I was continuing to receive messages from my internet
security that a generic host using SVCHOSt.exe was
attempting to access the internet. I configured a rule to
block further attempts.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/160.htm#2
background on svchost