File description |
Mdnsresponder.exe with description Bonjour Service is a process file from company Apple Inc. belonging to product Bonjour.
The file is
digitally signed from Apple Inc. - VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer - G2
We do not recommend removing digitally signed files from Apple Inc.
What is mDNSResponder.exe?
MDNSResponder.exe is part of Bonjour for Windows. Its purpose is to facilitate responding to network requests by software such as iTunes (for music sharing), as well as a myriad other applications. It is installed along with software such as iTunes, Rendezvous, TurboTax, Pinnacle products, and Adobe products.
This is an nonessential process and can safely be disabled. Note that by disabling this process you will be unable to take advantage of some of the networking features of the software that installed it. In iTunes, for instance, this means that other users on your network will not be able to access your shared music library. The screenshot below illustrates how this process should appear in the task manager:
As you can see in the above screenshot, mDNSResponder.exe typically runs as SYSTEM. A process with this name that is running as another user may be indicative of a malware infection.
Dangers of mDNSResponder
As this is a relatively common process in that it runs on any system with one of many popular software products installed, it is possible for virus writers and spyware vendors to disguise their malware as the genuine one.
Some malicious files may have the same name but be stored somewhere other than in %ProgramFiles%\Bonjour. Other malware may use a name that appears similar to it but with slight differences in spelling or with appended digits. While there are currently no known viruses, Trojans, or adware applications that disguise themselves as this process, you should look out for this file in an incorrect location or with a slightly different name.
There is typically no more than one instance of this process running at a given time. The presence of multiple instances may be an indicator of a malware infection. If you do not use software that installs Bonjour, the presence of this process may indicate that your system is infected. Before coming to the conclusion that your system is infected, however, remember that many different pieces of software install this and that it is extremely likely that you happened to install one of them.
Common problems
- This process uses excessive CPU time
- There are a myriad possible causes for this problem. Try updating Bonjour.
- If the problem continues and you do not need the features of mDNSResponder.exe, it is recommended that you disable it.
- Bonjour slows down the network connection
- If you are using iTunes, this is probably caused by another user on your network accessing your shared library. If this was not intended, you should turn off your shared library in iTunes. If this is occurring with another piece of software that installed mDNSResponder.exe, look for relevant settings in that software. Should the problem persist, and you do not need mDNSResponder.exe, it is recommended that you disable or uninstall it.
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Automatic startup locations |
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001 Running Processes |
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004 All users startup startmenu |
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007 Roaming Start Menu\Programs\Startup |
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010 Installed services |
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Digital signatures found for this file |
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Signer of certificate |
Issuer of certificate |
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Apple Inc. |
VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer - G2 |
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MD5 security rating in our database |
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49 |
files (Not yet rated
and
not
signed) |
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1 |
files (Not yet rated
and
digitally
signed) |
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2 |
files (Safe
and
not
signed) |
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22 |
files (Safe
and
digitally
signed) |
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Some versions of this filename have not yet been checked for safety.
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| Warning: Some malware might rename itself to mdnsresponder.exe. Always make sure that your file is from a verified publisher. |
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Application errors |
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