What Is Generic Host Process For Win32 Services?

[junkyardking]

I've just installed xp, when i access the internet though internet explorer zonealarm alerts me to a program called "generic host process for win32 services" which wants access and server rights for the internet.

Now i've done a search on google and as far as i can see it has somthing to do with progams that need internet access but no one is quite sure what is it does and why it's there, could it be bill gates spywear?

[sparsely]

@ spywear.




seriously though, that process is fine. Lemme guess, you got ZoneAlarm?
You should really get a real firewall, like a router.

[junkyardking]

If it so fine what does it do?

[Rip The Jacker]

No, this is normal. I'm using Windows 2000, "Generic Host Process For Win32 Services" is always running. Every once and a while it tries to get access to something on the internet. You can allow it if you want, you dont have to, I don't.

"Generic Host Process For Win32 Services" is a normal Windows thing.

[Yusuke]

The generic host process is used to run certain services(the filename is 'svchost.exe' and i got 5 of them runnin in taskmanager right now), tis nothing to worry about, it's a valid windows file that doesn't report nuttin

[Ynhockey]

You can allow it if you want, you dont have to, I don't.

Actually, that's not true. I once blocked it and my internet (HTTP protocol) didn't work at all. Anyway, i read an article somewhere on what it does... i'll look for a common link.
http://www.igknighttec.com/Windows/Windows...svchost_exe.php

Yep, read up...

[Rip The Jacker]

Weird. Every once and a while my firewall asks me if svchost.exe can have permission to use the internet. I always click No, but my internet and everything runs fine.

EDIT: Typo