Why WinXP Generic Host process try to access239.255.255.250:1900

Why WinXP Generic Host process try to access239.255.255.250:1900.

Thanks!

 

My best guess is that you have a router/switch and it's just saying "I'm here. Any new devices that want to talk? "

UPnP broadcast in other words and harmless. The multicast stuff (addresses with some .255 numbers) isn't usually a sign of anything dangerous. I say 'usually' but as far as I know, 'never' would be the better term.

You might check for a firmware update for your router that would allow this to be stopped but it may not be possible (or if possible, maybe not wise).

 

Newt, found this on the web. Would you advise against this type of fix?

 

That sort of reg tweak is harmless enough since if you do it and something quits working, it takes only a few seconds to set it back to the original value (or to remove the value if you had to add it).

Truthfully I don't see the real security risk in that particular broadcast packet but I freely admit that I am not a serious security person and there may be risks I just don't know about.

Basically I'd say if you feel better with the traffic stopped, try stopping it. If everything you want to work continues to work, you have increased your comfort level with very little effort and no downside.

 

Thanks!

Thanks!

Nihaojs