SVCHost (Groan!)

[meeja]

Since Blaster etc etc, I have become paranoid about SVChost..... it occasionally pops up requesting internet access through my firewall. Is this normal? What does Svchost do? And should I be granting it Internet access?

My machine is running w2k, is patched up to the eyeballs, and running McAfee enterprise 7 with the latest Dats installed.

[ErnestM]

More than likely it is your "Windows Update" attempting to contact the MS site for updates. If your firewall allows, create an exemption for Windows Update...

ErnestM

[meeja]

Ah! Windows Update would make sense...... Ever since the Blast and Welchia issues, I have become soooo paranoid every time something asks for internet access.... it also shows the limits of my IT literacy too!

[Gaffer]

WinTasks Process Library

svchost - svchost.exe - Process Information
Process File: svchost or svchost.exe
Process Name: Service Host Process
Description: The Service Host Process is generic host process for services that are run from dynamic-link libraries (DLLs)
Common Errors: N/A
System Process: Yes

www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/svchost/

Great for telling you what all the process are that is running in Task Manager.

Claire

[FourWheelDrift]

I appear to have 4 svchost.exe's running 2xSYSTEM, 1xNETWORK and 1xLOCAL SERVICE.

Aren't these also part of Norton automatic update services and other programs that run auto-updates, not just Windows?

:waitstobetoldI'veactuallygotavirus:

[ErnestM]

FourWheelDrift said:

Aren't these also part of Norton automatic update services and other programs that run auto-updates, not just Windows?

Correct. However, the original problem posted sounds just like what we encountered here after turning MS updates on "full auto"...

ErnestM