LSP explorer is a utility for advanced users to view detailed information about active Layered Service Providers (LSP) and Name Service Providers on your system.
From the LSP explorer webpage:
http://www.lavasoft.com/download_and_buy/p...sp_explorer.phpLSP are small pieces of software that can be added or inserted into the Windows TCP/IP handler by other software. Outward bound data from your computer, even sent to a legitimate destination on the Internet, can be intercepted by LSP and sent to a destination outside of your intent or control. LSP Explorer allows you to view active LSP and Name Service Providers on your system, as well as in-depth information about each, so you can determine if they are legitimate.
Once you have run the tool you can right click on the screen to see options available with the tool such as Backup, Restore, Remove (caution: do not use Remove unless you KNOW what you are doing), Save or Print a Report.
If your PC has been hijacked by a malicious LSP or if you are having a problem with your internet connection due to improper removal of an LSP, this tool might be useful to determine if there are any unauthorized LSPs present. Currently there is a very good list of known legimate and malware LSP's here:
Layered Service Providers (LSPs)http://www.castlecops.com/LSPs.htmlAn overview about LSPs can be found here:
Layered Service Providerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layered_Service_ProviderThis website also has a very good page on how LSP's can corrup your winsock settings and the types of problems encountered:
Ramesh's site Troubleshooting Windowshttp://windowsxp.mvps.org/winsock.htm If you are not having a problem, then you do not need to act upon the results in the report, as most often the entries you see are legitimate LSPs.