Node is a driver is a Javascript file, usually associated with web browsers.

So first thing I'd recommend is that you ensure you have the latest version of Javascript.
https://www.java.com/en/download/

Javascript != Java and downloading java wont give you the latest version of javascript which does not mean anything either javascript is a ECMA-262 standard.
Node is not a Driver it's an asynchronous event driven framework for building non blocking scalable networks that happens to use javascript as the language that uses googles v8 javascript engine to run it.

Apart from that I agree with everything above :-)

Don't go downloading anything, if it is node.js they are probably just using it as a server to manage stuff like proxies etc. but because it listens on ports to do that it will trigger some firewalls with a popup. They would use that as it runs cross platform so will work on the windows and mac versions and save coding specificity for each environment (guess)

The first thing you should've done is web search for hitfilm node.exe; there's multiple pages right at the top with the answer.

Thanks for the link. Need to study the replies. My issue is that my computer will sometimes bluescreen when I have Vegas open and start my browser.

Care to share any of the links you found? I did do a search before posting using that exact search term and it didn't turn up anything useful. I guess I need to contact HitFiilm support. I was just wondering if anyone else had noticed node.exe try to get out while using Vegas. It happens regardless of whether I try using a hitfilm plugin or not.

Their activation app uses Node.js. If you search the FXhome tree you can find the .js JavaScript files, and open them in a text editor. I'm guessing it's calling home to verify your license is valid. Vegas probably initiates the plugin when you start the software, causing it to try to activate in the background. If you open the Task Manager after a fresh restart, you can sort alphabetically and watch for Node.js when you start Vegas.

I wish all the software producers didn't follow the trend that made internet tethering normal. We should not require internet access, and the software should not be phoning home every time you load it, or leaving background processes running whose only purpose is to verify and unlock the software, while wasting system resources, and decreasing your privacy and security.

If it's causing you issues, obviously contact them. But otherwise, what can you do about the need to run the background process? Either disable HitFilm, or put up with it. Although, there might be a crack available, which disables the activation portion. While that is lawfully a violation, I think it's ethically acceptable, so long as you legitimately paid for the licensing.