Strange processes running...

Not sure where it comes from, but after running my M1530 w/vista home premium for a while I notice that the memory usage gradually creeps up from around 23% of my 3.5 usable gigs to around 34%, and a number of the process rundll32.exe with the command line C:\windows\system32\wininet.dll, dispatchAPIcall 1 pop up, sometimes 5 or 6 copies of that process. Any idea what it is and why so many copies of it open up? I hope it's not related to a virus

 

hmm I don't think this is a suspicious process mate

more info : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa385331(VS.85).aspx

 

The wininet.dll file is a library that Windows coders use for internet applications.

There are some viruses that like to pretend that they are legit processes. I highly recommend you do a virus scan.

 

Like Joe , there are few virus / spyware which acts as wininet.dll ... but as you said its in system32 folder so i doubt it ... anyway do full virus scan ...

or just send the file to Virustotal.com and they will scan with 20+ Virus engines and give you the result

 

A virus scan is always a good idea; however, it's more likely that what you're getting are a series of hung calls to the wininet api. A quickie google search pops up a bunch of hits on problems with WinMedia Player 11 and _Vista and with the Google Web Accelerator and _Vista - any of those sound familiar?

Also, check in your event logs to see if there's anything related to wininet.dll or anything else internet-related.

 

rundll32 is a nessesary windows file that runs windows. Its not a Virus. The more things you are doing, the more rundll32 and svchost processes there will be. Each carries out a specific function.