On this WIN XP box I have disabled all (automatic) updates. There would be no point anyway, since updates are no longer provided. After a new installation of Eset Smart Security version 8 while having the firewall at interactive mode, I get a strange outbound request to download.windowsupdate.com (IP number) port 80 by 'generic host process for win32 services'. At times I get a different outbound request for a 'generic host process' but this one is the most common. Of course I could set to firewall to automatically allow it. Let's keep in mind that this is a WIN XP box, not WIN 7 or 10. Is there any sensible explanation for this behavior ? At best, it seems unnessecary.
Did you disable only updates or Automatic updates service also? If not, I would suggest you disable service also.
Perhaps one of the "smart features" of Eset Smart Security version 8 involves checking whether your O/S is up-to-date. google search "eset smart security windowsupdate" linked the following among top results: https://forum.eset.com/topic/3781-operating-system-is-not-up-to-date/
Thanks. Well, the system hasn't complained it's not up to date. The update service was set to automatic, I just changed that. Thanks again. I'll see if that changes anything.
