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What’s Eap3Host.exe (Eap Third Party Surrogate Host)? Is it safe or a virus?

Eap3Host.exe is a process created by Microsoft Windows with the app description "Eap Third Party Surrogate Host". This process is responsible for acting as a surrogate host for third-party Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) providers. EAP is an authentication framework often used in wireless networks and VPN connections. The Eap3Host.exe process allows third-party EAP providers to integrate with the Windows operating system and provide their authentication services to users.

The official Microsoft website writes that "The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) is an authentication framework that allows for the use of different authentication methods for secure network access technologies. Examples of these technologies include wireless access using IEEE 802.1X, wired access using IEEE 802.1X, and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connections like Virtual Private Networking (VPN)."

Researched by Carl @ SpyShelter Labs

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More about Eap3Host.exe on WINDOWS

Who makes Eap3Host.exe (Eap Third Party Surrogate Host)?

We’ve found Microsoft Windows should be the publisher of Eap3Host.exe.

How do we know? Our SpyShelter cybersecurity labs focuses on monitoring different types of Windows PC executables and their behaviors for our popular SpyShelter Antispyware software. Learn more about us, and how our cybersecurity team studies Windows PC executables/processes.

What does it mean if someone is the publisher of a PC .exe (executable or process)?

The publisher of an executable is the entity responsible for its distribution and authenticity. Most processes/executables on your PC should be signed. The signature on the executable should have been verified through a third party whose job it is to make sure the entity is who it says it is. Find an unsigned executable? You should consider scanning any completely unsigned .exe on your PC.

Last updated: May 2, 2024

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Our team at SpyShelter has been studying Windows PC executables for over 15 years, to help fight against spyware, malware, and other threats. SpyShelter has been featured in publications like The Register, PC Magazine, and many others. Now we’re working to share free, actionable, and easy to understand information about Windows executables (processes) with the world, to help as many people as possible keep their devices safe. Learn more about us on our "About SpyShelter” page.

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