svchost.exe -Do I need it?

[Walt Stanley]

Hi: I'm running ZonaAlarm and it asks if I want to let svchost
connect to the internet. I always click NO and I don't see any
problems. I don't use IE or OE except maybe IE for updates.
What do I need this program for?
TIA., Walt

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

Yes you should allow this program access to the web. See the following site
for more information about the service itself.

A Description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314056

 

[Sunny]

Why does it need access to the internet ?

Greetings

Yes you should allow this program access to the web. See the following site
for more information about the service itself.

A Description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314056

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

The service includes other services like Windows Time which updates your
clock. If you follow the link you can find out more about if and about the
other services it houses.

 

[Sunny]

Thank you for the info (from one who never lets anything access the internet
unless I tell it to)

The service includes other services like Windows Time which updates your
clock. If you follow the link you can find out more about if and about the
other services it houses.

<snip>

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hi: I'm running ZonaAlarm and it asks if I want to let svchost
connect to the internet. I always click NO and I don't see any
problems. I don't use IE or OE except maybe IE for updates.
What do I need this program for?

It supports a range of services that might want to access across the
net - for example Windows Update, and automatic time synchronisation.
It is difficult to get something malicious installed as a service for it
to support, and I would (and do) allow it to access the net, but not to
act as a server