Network dial-up connects by itself

[Mike]

I have a network with 2 PC's. At first, I was sharing an
internet connection. The pc's would dial by itself at
times (almost every day). Since, I have installed a modem
in each machine and use the network to transfer files only,
but the dial-up connection dials randomly. I have tried
several of the connection features through Internet
explorer with no success. Both machines run Windows XP
now, but had the same concern when the host was Windows XP
and the other Windows ME. Can anyone help?

[BobC]

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 19:35:53 -0800, Mike wrote:

> I have a network with 2 PC's. At first, I was sharing an
> internet connection. The pc's would dial by itself at
> times (almost every day). Since, I have installed a modem
> in each machine and use the network to transfer files only,
> but the dial-up connection dials randomly. I have tried
> several of the connection features through Internet
> explorer with no success. Both machines run Windows XP
> now, but had the same concern when the host was Windows XP
> and the other Windows ME. Can anyone help?

Sounds like a program phoning home. It could be something like windows auto
update, anti-virus update, a spyware program or any other program installed
that periodically phones home. I would check auto update program settings.
I would also get a good anti spyware program like Spybot Search and Destroy
(http://www.safer-networking.org/) or Adaware
(http://www.lavasoftusa.com/). And I would check Internet Explorer > Tools
> Internet Options > Connections and ensure never dial a connection is
checked.