Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubba  In 2002 and beyond, most new DSL services are provided without such software with the ISPs providing the end-user with DSL routers.
Recommendation :
If WINPPPOVERETHERNET is running on your PC, and it was provided by your current ISP, then you need it, period. |
While this is true, there are alternatives to the bundled PPPoE provided by your ISP. Usually ISP's such as SWHell and most others build in code that assist them in tracking your internet activity and bandwidth usage.
There are other Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet communication programs that you can use in lieu of the software provided by your ISP. The most common is
RASPPPoE. While Windows XP has a built in PPPoE layer, if you have loaded software provided by your ISP that allows you to connect to the Internet then you should consider uninstalling it and installing RASPPPoE instead. It works the same and while it does take some configuration to setup, it does not have the spy tools normally encapsulated in your ISP's provided software package.
All that being said, here is the
best thing you can do with PPPoE.
GET RID OF IT!! Don't I need it? you say.. Yes you do, if you have DSL, but not on your PC. Solution: Get a router! Almost every router has a dynamic PPPoE interpreter built right in. Linksys, D-Link and just about every brand that uses DHCP will handle all of the communication via PPPoE from the router, to the modem. Then the link between your PC and your Router is PPPoE FREE. Why is this good? If frees up not only memory on your PC, since the program is not memory resident, but also frees up valuable CPU resources and overhead. This will make your PC and your internet connection faster and more responsive since there are fewer background applications competing for your PC's resources.
To anyone that uses DSL and do not have a router; you have PPPoE on your computer as a translation layer between you and the Internet. GO get a router and then get rid of the software. You will notice a big difference in not only your internet speed, but your PC's speed, even when performing non-internet tasks. This is especially important for older PC's, older OS's, or PC's that have less than 512 mb RAM or less than 2.0 GB CPU speed.
None of this applies to people using Cox Cable and most other Cable providers.
If you are curious which processes do what, I would suggest checking them on Whatsrunning.net.
Looking at yours, I do not see any trouble items from what I can see but the CPU time that the svchost.exe instance has accumalated concerns me. Some viruses do use the SVCHost.exe to communicate back to their origins.
Question: What is your OS, Computer brand, CPU speed, Memory, and hard drive size?
Also, I see some services running in there that could be disabled if you are not using them, but I need to know your OS and other specs before I can elaborate.