What does svchost.exe mean exactly? Should I block it?

Svchost.exe is the most mysterious process in Windows 7/XP/Vista. Svchost.exe is a generic host process name for services that run from dynamic-link libraries (DLLs). The authentic svchost.exe file is located in C:\Windows\System32, but numerous viruses and trojans use the same file and process name to hide their activities.

The free Svchost Process Analyzer lists all svchost instances and checks the services they contain. This makes it easy to uncover Svchost worms like the infamous Conficker worm.

1) svchost.exe is a process registered as a backdoor vulnerability which may be installed for malicious purposes by an attacker allowing access to your computer from remote locations, stealing passwords, Internet banking and personal data. If unaccounted for, this process should be removed immediately.

2) svchost.exe is a process which is registered as a trojan. This Trojan allows attackers to access your computer from remote locations, stealing passwords, Internet banking and personal data. This process is a security risk and should be removed from your system.

3) svchost.exe is a process belonging to Microsoft Service Host Process. This could also be a stealth monitoring software that sits in the background and tracks all activities such as keyboard input (including websites visited, passwords etc.) This information can be sent to third parties through email or ftp uploads. If you did not intentionally install this program make sure you remove it to protect your privacy.

No, you shouldnt block this process. Some program will not work without this process.

The 'svchost.exe' program is a container that runs a variety of network services that are essential to Windows. I'm not sure what you mean by "block it". Do you mean block it from Internet access or block it from running?

Blocking it from Internet access makes sense. You likely don't want people on the Internet accessing network services on your computer. Blocking it from running is not a good idea.

Of course, it's also possible that you're talking about some malicious program that called itself 'svchost.exe' just to not look suspicious in the task manager.

What anti-virus program do you have and exactly what is it saying?

If it highlighted it it may be a fake file. Svchost.exe is a normal windows process that should not be blocked, but if your computer has been compromised, then you may have a fake copy of it.

What is your antivirus? It should give you advice on what to do when it alerts you.

seeing as how he ended up dumping oil all over the place, I would say he had a rod cap let go or a rod break. something in the bottom broke and something went through the block. they push these engines around 9000 rpms for hours at a time. that is pretty hard on a pushrod style v8. it must be very common to have crankshaft and connecting rod failures. like everyone else said, blown engine is a catch all term meaning that something broke in the engine. there is no way for the driver to know exactly what broke while still sitting in the car. all he knows is that something happened to the engine so he says, it blew.

It's a system process, you must leave it running.

What it does is to run .dlll files that belong to Windows as executable files, that's why you may have many of them running.

Some virus use svchost.exe to disguise themselves from the operative system.

But it's difficult to tell if that's your case. Most likely it's not infected unless your AV tells so.

The legit svchost.exe is located under the system32 folder if not it's obviously a malicious process.

You can use Windows Optimum to check where it is located :

http://www.net-studio.org/eng/windows-optimum.html

What Does Svchost.exe Do

What Does Svchost Do