ALG.exe?

Question

What is "Application Layer Gateway Service" used for exactly? If I block it with my firewall my internet connection still works fine.

I look it up on Google and get this. "Description: alg.exe is a part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is a core process for Microsoft Windows Internet Connection sharing and Internet connection firewall. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated"

I don't use the XP firewall and I don't use Internet Connection sharing so it's ok to block it, right?

Rob Y. · Accepted Answer

It is part of the Windows TCP/IP connectivity suite. Starting ICF and ICS will require alg, but they may not be the only things. It is possible that other programs you are running depend on it. I believe FTP may require it as well. Try FTPing to somewhere and see if you can. Personally I let alg.exe go, it causes no harm.

Rob

C> What is "Application Layer Gateway Service" used for exactly? If I

Connected · Answer

I can still FTP with it blocked. Just tested it.

Connected · Answer

I have it set to manual under services but it always starts up anyway.Guess I'll disable it and see what happens. Thanks.

Duane Arnold · Answer

Connected  wrote in news:    Yes, so they say. You can disable it if you need to instead of blocking it in case the Personal FW solution is disabled by malware and ALG becomes a threat along with everything else running on the machine.  I myself don't bother with it and it is running and I never have had a problem with ALG on the machines -- that are not running the XP FW.  But you can block it ot shut ALG down and it shouldn't hurt anything.Duane :)

ALG.exe?

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