Skypenames.exe - Skype Community

Issue: Error message "Another application (SkypeNames.exe) is attempting to access Skype"

Some of our users are seeing an error message in Skype when they are also running Internet Explorer or Firefox. This is being caused by the Skype extension for these browsers, which is part of the Skype install.

There are 2 different issues being discussed here:

1. API authorization request: That is a message that asks you if you want to allow SkypeNames to use the Skype API. SkypeNames.exe is whitelisted and signed by Skype - so you shouldn't be asked about it.
   
2. API communication failure message: "Another application (SkypeNames.exe) is attempting to access Skype, but we are unable to respond. Please try to restart the application" Our current theory is that this happens when you run the browser with extra-high permission. This is usually done by selecting Run As Administrator in Windows Vista or Windows 7.

If you can reproduce the problem, then we would really like to get logs. You can find a description on how to create logs here:
https://developer.skype.com/Support/LogFile

Peter Kalmström
Product manager Skype Toolbars Tue Jul 7 2009, 11:10 http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=374041&view=findpost&p=1719241 ·

via forum.skype.com

I just upgraded Firefox and got the skypenames.exe "allow or deny" message. My Internet search brought up sites declaring it a worm. It is not a worm, and here is what Skype has to say about it [although not recent]. I like Skype for video chat. It's a good program, and I can use it on Vista and Linux. My daughter just got a Mac, and it works there, too.

If you get a message about something, and don't know what it is, a quick Google can help - before you click the 'Allow' button. Look for sources like PC World, ZDNet, CNet [part of ZDNet], sources ending in .edu, or if you can identify the software, that software's forum. You can also try forums on your PC's manufacturer support site, Microsoft [if PC], Apple [if Mac], or Linux.org or your distro's support site if you run Linux. Somebody else is bound to have seen it and asked someone. As in this example, many people assume it's a virus/worm/trojan program when maybe it's not; but it's better to assume it's malicious and click 'Deny' than let it run and maybe it is; but a quick Internet search with your fave engine will hopefully tell you what it is. Just type the name of the program and wade through the results, looking for what I suggested above. Hope this helps!

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