Network Location Awareness (NLA) - MSWSOCK.DLL
Mswsock.dll is a service provided by Microsoft. It collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes. This service works with the Internet Connection Sharing service. So leave it in place if you run a Network, if you share an Internet connection, or if you use a cable/DSL Internet service provider.

A description of services that run under svchost in Windows XP can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314056.

A description of default services running under Winodws can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q250320.

Service

Microsoft