svchost.exe

[Sammy Castagna]

I have read that svchost.exe is supposed to be running on
Win XP Pro. My question is why does it want to connect to
the internet and why as a server? Thanks.

Sammy

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

A Description of Svchost.exe in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314056&Product=winxp

Download Ad-Aware 6.0 and scan your PC for the presence of spyware:
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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|I have read that svchost.exe is supposed to be running on
| Win XP Pro. My question is why does it want to connect to
| the internet and why as a server? Thanks.
|
| Sammy

 

[Sammy Castagna]

Carey,
Thanks for the info I have Ad-Aware I run it every few
weeks I will run it now. Will read the other info and do
the security check. I have Norton anti virus and it is up
to date.

Sammy Castagna

 

[Al Smith]

I have read that svchost.exe is supposed to be running on

Win XP Pro. My question is why does it want to connect to
the internet and why as a server? Thanks.

Sammy

I was asking the same thing about "svchost.exe" when running XP
Pro, and couldn't get a straight answer from most people -- so I
assume they didn't know the answer. A couple of posters did say
that it has to run in order to get connected to the Internet with
XP Pro.

I have to have it running in order to get my browser to read Web
sites, not to connect (I can connect fine with it blocked) but
I've got it set in ZoneAlarm not to run as a server. By that I
mean there are two columns in ZoneAlarm's Program Control -- the
Access column and the Server column. I've got "svchost.exe"
running on the Internet in the Access column but blocked in the
Server column. The browser works fine that way. As far as I've
been able to determine, from the poor quality of answers I've
gotten on this question, this is safe.

 

[Sammy Castagna]

Al,
That is the way I have mine set in ZoneAlarm also and
everything seems to be fine. I was just wondering what it
was trying to do. Thanks.

Sammy

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have read that svchost.exe is supposed to be running on
Win XP Pro. My question is why does it want to connect to
the internet and why as a server?

It is the program that provides the interface between the system and a
whole slew of services. They get loaded in groups, which is why you
usually see several instances of it. Some need internet access: Auto
Update for example, and Internet time sync. Best to allow it access;
but I have never found need for it to be a server as well, and disallow
that in Zone Alarm (which I guess is putting up the message - for access
check the 'always do this' before clicking Allow for access, Block for
server)