How did Skype services get onto my WinXP machine???

[PartingShot]

Hey all,

Today, for the first time in a while, I was looking at the Network Connections on my WinXP desktop, and I noticed an entry I've not seen before. Screengrab:



When I go right-click "Properties" the Internet Connection item, I get this:



When I click on the "Settings" button, I get this:

I am totally surprised at this because I have NEVER EVER installed Skype on this system.


When I right-click "Status" from the Internet Connection item, I get this:

So this connection has been there for 39 days (since Wed. Feb. 23, 2011).


I find all this a bit disturbing, and thought I'd ask the experts here. How could these Skype services find their way onto my system? And configure themselves as an Internet Gateway item under my PC's Network Connections??? Any ideas? I know I can just delete that item, but am extremely concerned that it got there in the first place! Thank you in advance for any responses.

[aedipuss]

do you use voip?

[PartingShot]

do you use voip?

Thanks for the response.

No, I do not, nor have I ever, used voip. I did add a powerline adapter kit into my home network back in mid-February. It creates a bridge from my 2nd PC in the living room to the router in the back room, so I can have internet access in the living room.

Also, I just booted up the 2nd PC in the living room (same OS, WinXP 32-bit SP3) and it too has the same Internet Gateway item running with the Skype TCP/UDP services!

Could this have been caused by the addition of the powerline devices? The powerline product in question is the Netgear XAV5001 500Mbps PLC Kit.

[jagabo]

It's not unusual for Skype to get installed with some other software. Often with webcam drivers. But it usually shows up as an item you can disable when you install.