Unknown modem access

At times, my computor will connect to my dial up connection, and start downloading. When I check task manager, it shown no programe running. Other times I will be connected to the internet, and something will start downloading, but what I do not know what is accessing the net. I know that Nortons and Webroot require a connection to update their files, but again, it does not show when it is doing that, just a pop up to say when it is completed. Is there any way, or is there a program I can run to show what is useing the internet connection, or what is requesting access to the internet.

Many thanks
Graham

 

Hi Graham

if you have a helpful firewall it gives very useful clues I use an obsolete version of Kerio (v2.1.5) which is very helpful at showing what's going on (and also at controlling it!)

**edit - more modern versions of Kerio would maybe do the same, other firewalls too possibly.

here's Kerio showing an internet access which would otherwise be "invisible "

[SIZE= "1"]to get the picture: all I had done was to start Internet Explorer (my home page is local). I had already connected to the internet, but wasn't browsing. Not using email. Not doing anything which needed the internet. Yet, the connection icon in the tray lit up, and stayed alight for ~3 minutes. Bytes flooding in as fast as the dialup could carry. So, I checked with the firewall, to see the pic above...[/SIZE]

you can see: the app. is stated to be Internet Explorer. Actually it's the Googlebar, which adds on to IE as a Browser Help Object. I took this pic because it looks just the same as BHO malware might look (in fact this one's doubly sneaky, the Googlebar won't try to put you on line if you are not already connected)

here's Firefox just after I start Firefox - the connection icon lights up, but I haven't clicked anything. 212.58.226.30 turns out to be the BBC what! it's OK, FF is RSS enabled, it's gone off to the Beeb to pick up the news headlines for me.

With a decent firewall, you can see which program on your machine is using the internet, and also get an idea of what it's talking to "out there ".

==

the other thing I use for this is a program called Ethereal (called Wireshark now I think?) which shows all sorts of things but is not for the fainthearted, and when you install it, it has to insert itself in the way between your computer and the internet - so might mess up things I suppose (although I have had no trouble with this myself, it's a tricky and complex part of the system where it goes in)

all sorts of legit software accesses the internet nowadays without letting you know: Firefox, newer versions of Opera, the Googlebar popup blocker - to name just a few

this is one thing which makes me very happy still to be using dialup, as opposed to broadband - I have to "push the button" to get internet access; the "always on" approach would make me very nervous.

best wishes, HJ

 

Hi, Graham.

One handy utility for viewing Internet connections and what processes are using them is DiamondCS's Port Explorer. I think the evaluation/trial version is fully functional for 30 days.

 

HUGH,
I have attempted to download Kerio from myopera.com and 321download.com, but my internet connection is so slow here, it either drops out, or the file is corrupt. Do you have a copy of this program that you could email me in an attachment. If so, PM, it to me.

Arie,
I will act on your suggestion tomorrow, as it is already 1.00 am here in Papua New Guinea, and I must get some sleep. I will advise on what we get after a sweep.

Regards
Graham

 

Mailman,
I will see if HUGH has a copy of Kerio, but if not, I will have a look at your suggestion.

Regards
Graham

 

Graham

pls edit your post to remove the email address

BBS gets trawled heavily, uncool to post email addresses

==

on a more positive note check your PMs


best wishes, HJ

 

I've edited out the email address. We don't want your address to get harvested by the spam bots.

 

Be carefull you could have huge phone bills

Be more than careful.
If you do not act you may well get ( or have already) huge phone bills to far away places you have never heard of.

Sounds like automatic dialer spyware.
Spybot with updates may be the first of the line of antispyware programs to run.
Remove all they find.
Make sure you do the updates
Set the setting for one below the top level.

A couple of years ago a number ( more than a few) had huge phone bills from automatic dialers.
The phone company was a sport and settled on half payment.
Some of these bills were over $ 5,000


I wondered .
Could these people unlplug their modem from the wall
Could they not of simply disabled their modem or turned their computer off when they were not using it or overnight ?
They blamed everyone but themselves.
Take action quickly. And phone your phone company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1