com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc in firewall options? what is it?

[macgig]

Today I discovered an entry in my Firewall Options that I don't recognize and do not remember ever seeing before -

com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc Allow incoming connections

I googled it, google says its malware?? how come malwarebytes is not saying something about it? should I remove it from firewall options?

 

[pm-r]

Today I discovered an entry in my Firewall Options that I don't recognize and do not remember ever seeing before -

What Firewall Options did you find this???

It sounds more like you're muckin' about and maybe in places you shouldn't be.

Anyway, it's probably not malware, especially if you've run your Malwarebytes and it didn't find anything.

You might want to read this:

From scraping the web for answers, we found that com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc appears to be an Apple product. It is used by programs such as Safari, Mail, Messages, App Store, iCloud, and likely others that require internet connection. This is unless, of course, if an entity spoofs information that GetInfo would report on a file.

What ‘com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc’ Can Do (Hint: It’s Not Malware)
What ‘com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc | Software Tested

Final Notes
It can be fairly easy to dismiss it as another malware threat, but com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc is actually a legitimate, even necessary component of your Mac system. It is found in anything from Safari to Messages to anything that requires you to have internet connection.

As always, it pays to be very discerning when dealing with unfamiliar files and programs. Recklessly getting rid of legitimate items, too, can be as dangerous as letting things slide.

But if you want to believe your other source and you are convinced it is malware, as they say, then, by all means, delete it and then post back when you have trouble from doing so.

- Patrick
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[Raz0rEdge]

That isn't malware, it's part of Webkit which powers Safari and XPC stands for Cross Process Communication. If you block access to that thing, Safari might fail to properly work.

 

[macgig]

I did see some info saying its related to safari... others said its malware... thanks for the help.. should not be malware Im really careful what I click on.... I only visit live phishing sites on my older imac...

edit: how come its on my newer imac that I use daily, but its not in firewall options on the older imac? both have safari installed? this seems a little odd. I may remove it and see what happens.