ElPerfecto.com

Why does wmplayer.exe access the internet without our permission?

wmplayer.exe is a Microsoft program that plays media, like video, audio, and images.   However, I NEVER use the program so why does it run on my computer and access the internet?  Using a network monitoring program, TCPView, I watched the program access the following servers:

64.4.11.160

Microsoft server

lasvegas-nv-datacenter.com

A Whois lookup on this domain shows it has an IP of 72.18.198.8.  The registrant is:

Las Vegas, NV, Datacenters
237 Carson St
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Phone:  702-442-1962

This phone is associated with PremiaNet Network according to this source.

69.31.49.17

An IP lookup shows the server is located near:

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

ISP:   NLAYER COMMUNICATIONS INC

96.17.8.162

deploy.akamaitechnologies.com
AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES
CAMBRIDGE,  MASSACHUSETTS

96.17.8.168

deploy.akamaitechnologies.com
AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES
CAMBRIDGE,  MASSACHUSETTS

96.17.8.72

deploy.akamaitechnologies.com
AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES
CAMBRIDGE,  MASSACHUSETTS

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Uninstall WMPlayer.exe

According to a post at Microsoft’s website, you CANNOT uninstall this program!

“If you have Windows Vista, you have Windows Media Player INCLUDED. It is part of the system. It CANNOT be uninstalled.”

Configure Router to Block Activity

How about blocking the  program from accessing the servers using the router’s firewall?  That’s what I tried.  How to block URLs and IPs with a D-Link router

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Conclusion

It seems unethical to me that Microsoft would prevent us from uninstalling a program from our machines.  This program accesses the internet without our permission.    I read on other sites that wmplayer.exe is a security problem, allowing hackers into our computers.  I’m done using Microsoft products.