Question

Windows is making many network connections

Asked by: Dumbguy

I have windows xp pro.    I installed latest Zone Alarm free version and start controlling the programs activity.

I basically put "ask" for all programs through the program control of the zone alarm.

I notice something strange.    My Windows startup basically is barebone.   I don't have programs loading when the windows starts.    But everytime my Windows boots up, without me starting any applications, the zone alarm will report Generic Host Process trying to access trusted zone,  127.0.0.1 port xxxx " and then "Generic Host Process trying to access INTERNET,  192.168.0.1 ".    Generic Host Process trying to access Internet,  192.168.0.1 port xxxx ".  
Generic Host Process trying to access Internet,  239.255.255.250: port 1900 ".  

 Everytime it boots up, there will be three or four of these messages.

Sometimes, it will say "Generic Host Process trying to ACCEPT connections from INTERNET,  192.168.0.1 Port XXXX.

I would like to know if this is normal ?   Or something has hacked into my pc and start providing back door access.

Your help is greatly appreciated.    I don't want to re-install windows if it is normal.

I ran spybot and come up with nothing.    AVG did not catch anything also.     But I wonder if there is still chance somethign is not right.


     

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Asked On
2007-08-16 at 21:49:56ID22768971
Tags

connections

,

network

,

windows

,

xp

Topics

Operating Systems Network Security

,

Consumer Firewalls

,

Networking Security Vulnerabilities

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: r-kPosted on 2007-08-17 at 00:31:57ID: 19715131

This sounds normal, just various Windows Services that run within the Generic Host Process (svchost.exe). I would just tell ZoneAlarm to allow this and to remember this answer.

If you want to double-check, run "netstat -ab" from a command prompt and see what network connections/ports are open, and by which program. If unsure, you can save that list to a text file and copy-and-paste it here.

 

by: RobWillPosted on 2007-08-17 at 08:25:46ID: 19717599

Just a couple of comments on the actual IP's, I wouldn't worry too much:
>>"Generic Host Process trying to access trusted zone,  127.0.0.1 port xxxx ""
This is the internal IP for your computer, the same one on which Zone Alarm is running. Probably a system process

>>""Generic Host Process trying to access INTERNET,  192.168.0.1 ". "
This is a private IP so it will not be routed beyond your router. It may in fact be your router, or PC. Is that the case? Again probably a system process.

>>"Generic Host Process trying to access Internet,  239.255.255.250: port 1900 "
Interesting IP. Internet public IP's only go up to 113.255.255.254  Beyond that are reserved for Multicast use. Your IP is shown as reserved for "239.255.000.000-239.255.255.255 Site-Local Scope "
So, again likely no threat.

As r-k these are all Generic Host Processes and very common. I would just allow all and they should not appear again. I assume you have Zone Alarm set for the highest security. Lowering slightly may allow these by default.

r-k's suggestion of using netstat can tell you a lot. Adding the n parameter will show IP's
netstat -anb
Look for "ESTABLISHED" connections and the port number. These are the ones to be concerned about. If you do not have any Internet services running, such as a web browser, updates, or such, it should show only local LAN connections.

 

by: r-kPosted on 2007-08-17 at 08:42:29ID: 19717748

Good clarification by RobWill. Just a couple of minor things to add:

"Internet public IP's only go up to 113.255.255.254..."

That is a typo, should be 223.255.255.254.

Also, 239.255.255.250: port 1900 is used by something called the Simple Service Discovery Protocol or SSDP (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Service_Discovery_Protocol), no doubt some Windows program trying to discover what else is on your network.

These are all perfectly normal, you definitely don't need to worry about these.

 

by: RobWillPosted on 2007-08-17 at 08:45:57ID: 19717784

>>"That is a typo, should be 223.255.255.254."
Whoops. Thanks very much r-k. Correct.

 

by: rafaelrglPosted on 2007-08-17 at 18:55:45ID: 19721390

that's normal. the Generic Host Process is a component from windows that allow you connect normally to the internet. so do not worry.

 

by: RobWillPosted on 2007-08-19 at 20:09:56ID: 19728067

Thanks Dumbguy.
Cheers !
--Rob

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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