swcdn.apple.com.akadns.net

Question

Level 1

6 points

swcdn.apple.com.akadns.net

During startup, Little Snitch reports that SoftwareUpdateCheck is attempting to connect to apple.com. A few connections go by that look legitimate and then it wants to connect to _swcdn.apple.com.akadns.net on port 80._

The reverse DNS lookup is to cds471.dal.llnw.net.

Intego VirusBarrierX5 reports no virus and MacScan reports no malware.
Is it a root kit or a legitimate connection to APPLE.COM? (I doubt highly that).

Software path is: /System/Library/CoreServices/SoftwareUpdate.app/Contents/Resources/SoftwareUpda teCheck

MacPro - 2x2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.5), Oracle DBA, ITIL Certified

Posted on Sep 23, 2008 7:35 PM

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Answer 1

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,851 points

Sep 24, 2008 1:22 AM in response to Kipnet

Yes, it's legitimate.

Do some research on Akamai Technologies if you want to know more.

(In short, to speed up web downloading times, Akamai runs what are effectively caching servers and data, like software updates, are kept on their machines, which are located at strategic locations around the world and on the net.

Therefore everyone in the U.S. doesn't have to download software updates from a server or servers located in California, but rather can get it from a location near them.)

Here's Wikipedia's explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akamai_Technologies

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Answer 2

Kipnet Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 25, 2008 7:22 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Thanks, William. I appreciate the reply. I'll check out Akamai Technologies.

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