it doesn't seem to be an error as the error log isn't being appended to.

is there a freebsd command i can use to check what apache is doing in more detail? sort of like windows task manager process list.

i'm not sure how to get what i want from top

i'm quite (read very) new at the unix thingymajig :shock:

thanks for any help!

Most likely someone is using an apache vulnerability to DOS other systems.

You should shut down apache immediatly, and upgrade it (or thats the LEAST you should do).