What is alg.exe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rck
  • Start date Start date
R

rck

About once a week when I boot up, a file named alg.exe attempts to access
the internet. I have it blocked. Is this part of Windows XP or is it some
sort of spyware?

Bob
 
alg.exe is a part of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
It is a core process for Microsoft Windows Internet Connection
sharing and Internet connection firewall. This program is important
for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not
be terminated

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| About once a week when I boot up, a file named alg.exe attempts to access
| the internet. I have it blocked. Is this part of Windows XP or is it some
| sort of spyware?
|
| Bob
 
Application Layer Gateway service is a component of of Windows OS. It is
required if you use a 3rd party firewall or Internet Connection Sharing
(ICS) to connect to the internet. Do not end this program in task manager -
you will lose all internet connectivity until next restart or login.

The alg.exe file is located in the c:\windows\System32 folder. In other
cases, alg.exe is a virus, spyware, trojan or worm! Perhaps try a spyware
checking app, unless you have ICS enabled.
 
I have not noticed any ill effects from blocking this program. I am using
McAfee Firewall, not the XP firewall. I don't know if I'm using ICS or not.
There is really no way for an ordinary home user to know what all of this
is, nor is there any way to determine which files should or shouldn't be
accessing the Internet. With all of the security problems out there today,
both within and outside of Windows, I tend to err on the side of caution.

Bob
 
About once a week when I boot up, a file named alg.exe attempts
to access the internet. I have it blocked. Is this part of
Windows XP or is it some sort of spyware?

Bob
Click to expand...

Application Layer Gateway Service
Part of Windows XP.

If you do not use the "Windows Firewall" or "ICS"(Internet Connection
Sharing), it can be safely disabled using "Administrative Tools"
"Services"

If you use either of the above, leave it enabled.

Be aware that Spyware files often use names similar to native Windows
files.

Nick Goetz
 
rck said:
I have not noticed any ill effects from blocking this program. I am using
McAfee Firewall, not the XP firewall. I don't know if I'm using ICS or not.
There is really no way for an ordinary home user to know what all of this
is, nor is there any way to determine which files should or shouldn't be
accessing the Internet. With all of the security problems out there today,
both within and outside of Windows, I tend to err on the side of caution.

Bob
Click to expand...


http://tinyurl.com/5psom
 
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