Activity Monitor Process: telnet?

[asherman13]

Does anybody know what this process (titled "telnet") is? It's currently using almost 100% of one of my CPU's and (I'm guessing) is making my fans go at full speed.

Anybody know what it is, what it does, or what its purpose is?

Thanks 🙂

 

[matticus008]

Telnet is a network client most often associated with remote command prompt operations (SSH, etc.). I'm not even sure why you'd have it running (most people who use it know that they're using it). Do you have any unusual programs running (not Adobe/Office/iLife/browser/IM)?

 

[robbieduncan]

Telnet is a network client most often associated with remote command prompt operations (SSH, etc.)

ssh is not the same as telnet. They are different programs and have different daemon processes providing the servers. ssh can be viewed as a secure telnet at a very simplified level, but they are completely different network protocols.

 

[matticus008]

ssh is not the same as telnet. They are different programs and have different daemon processes providing the servers. ssh can be viewed as a secure telnet at a very simplified level, but they are completely different network protocols.

Right. I meant that Telnet was like SSH, not that it was the same. My wording must not be clear.

 

[asherman13]

I was using Transmission, a BitTorrent client. Could that be it?

 

[Allotriophagy]

I was using Transmission, a BitTorrent client. Could that be it?

I don't think so - I have Transmission running but no telnet process in Activity Monitor.

Umm...have you tried turning it on and off again? (Ooh, I feel like I am working behind a Genius Bar!)

 

[thewhitehart]

I'd turn it off, personally, and see if by turning it off anything runs differently. I used to use telnet back in the day on windows to upload stuff to my web space on my dial up isp. In basic terms, it's like a "window" onto your isp, or a "shell" account rather than a full fledged dial up PPP account. It has a command line interface.

 

[asherman13]

I'd turn it off, personally, and see if by turning it off anything runs differently. I used to use telnet back in the day on windows to upload stuff to my web space on my dial up isp. In basic terms, it's like a "window" onto your isp, or a "shell" account rather than a full fledged dial up PPP account. It has a command line interface.

Ok...should I just force-quit the process?

 

[thewhitehart]

Ok...should I just force-quit the process?

Yep. I'd back up anything currently open, and just force quit the process. Restart any apps you had open, and one by one, see if the process pops up again.

Killing a process shouldn't screw up your saved data, but back up anything important just in case.

 

[jeremy.king]

Ok...should I just force-quit the process?

You are better off restarting to see if the process starts back up, if so, you'll need to figure out what application or script is using telnet connections.