my computer dials up when it wants...

What software would be making my computer dial up and connect? Suddenly i have had this happening. I cannot figure if the latest June Windows Update changed a setting on me, or if my new exterior modem did?
I never had this problem before.....as i used to have disconnects a lot. Now i connect great, yet am connecting when i have not asked to?

I only have one phone line and live in rural area. I have 3 y.o. Dell Dimension w/ WinXP all up to date, i have Avast, Windows Defender, Ad Aware. I use OE and IE7.

I just looked in a few places to see if settings have changed from Updates?
I am not sure what all settings are to be set for a home computer with one user and only dial up. Maybe someone can let me know what all ought to be checked or not.

I have software that is supposed to update automatically as i always have set it to do that, yet never noted it connect by itself like it has been?

I am an intermediate and been using a computer since DOS. I am getting a clouded mind now that i am 60+ however.

Thanks for any help, J

 

The most obvious cause is malware. That is, you may be infected with a trojan or virus that is trying to dial home. This may not be the cause, but it is probably the place to start. You need to make sure you don't have an infection before looking for solutions elsewhere.

Therefore, I'd recommend you post your problem to the "http://www.windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41" forum. Have a look at the information links in the forum's useful information sticky posting:

http://www.windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

And proceed from there.