How to find out what is dialling my ISP? [Archive]

View Full Version : How to find out what is dialling my ISP?

rifleman

December 11th 03, 07:39 AM

XP Sp1 and fully patched.
I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
that connects when I launch it.
ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things, Spybot
and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
How do I find what's doing it?

John Thomas Smith

December 11th 03, 07:39 AM

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:16:51 -0000, "rifleman" > wrote:
>XP Sp1 and fully patched.
>I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
>that connects when I launch it.
>ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
>SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things, Spybot
>and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
>How do I find what's doing it?

I use the Sygate Personal Firewall, not ZoneAlarm, but in Sygate I
must give permission for ANYTHING to connect... if ZA works similar,
you should be able to view your automatic permissions to see what
is listed... and anything that is not listed ZA should display a
message saying [something like] "program A wants to connect"

If ZA does not give a warning about "non permission" software, you
need a better firewall

John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

purplehaz

December 11th 03, 07:39 AM

"John Thomas Smith" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:16:51 -0000, "rifleman" > wrote:
> >XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> >I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
> >that connects when I launch it.
> >ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> >SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
Spybot
> >and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> >How do I find what's doing it?
>
> I use the Sygate Personal Firewall, not ZoneAlarm, but in Sygate I
> must give permission for ANYTHING to connect... if ZA works similar,
> you should be able to view your automatic permissions to see what
> is listed... and anything that is not listed ZA should display a
> message saying [something like] "program A wants to connect"
>
> If ZA does not give a warning about "non permission" software, you
> need a better firewall
>

ZA does do that and actually it was the very first firewall to have outbound
connection monitoring and its still free.

Mike Hall

December 11th 03, 07:39 AM

Do you have any instant messengers installed?..

--
History is only the past if we choose to do nothing about it..

"rifleman" > wrote in message
...
> XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
> that connects when I launch it.
> ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
Spybot
> and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> How do I find what's doing it?
>
>

rifleman

December 11th 03, 07:39 AM

No -I specifically disabled them all!

"Mike Hall" > wrote in message
. ..
> Do you have any instant messengers installed?..
>
> --
> History is only the past if we choose to do nothing about it..
>
> "rifleman" > wrote in message
> ...
> > XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> > I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
> > that connects when I launch it.
> > ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> > SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
> Spybot
> > and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> > How do I find what's doing it?
> >
> >
>
>

Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)

December 11th 03, 07:40 AM

A few possibilities.

If you have XP set to automatically update, that could be the issue, try
turning off automatic update. Open Control Panel, open System, go to the
Automatic Update tab, remove the check from "Keep my computer up to
date...," click apply and ok and see if that resolves it.

If not, check your e-mail client to see if it is set to check for new mail
at specified intervals, if it is, try turning that off.

If you have Real Player installed, it has an option to check for updates and
it is enabled by default. Go through the Real Player options and disable
that feature. Also, any other application that may be set to automatically
check for updates and many have such a feature now, can be the culprit with
this type of issue.

Also, download, install and run Ad Aware, it might turn up something that
could be at the root of this issue:
www.lavasoftusa.com

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"rifleman" > wrote in message
...
> XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
> that connects when I launch it.
> ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
Spybot
> and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> How do I find what's doing it?
>
>

Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)

December 11th 03, 07:40 AM

Hi Phil!:-)

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"purplehaz" > wrote in message
...
>
> "John Thomas Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:16:51 -0000, "rifleman" > wrote:
> > >XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> > >I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader
mode
> > >that connects when I launch it.
> > >ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> > >SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
> Spybot
> > >and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> > >How do I find what's doing it?
> >
> > I use the Sygate Personal Firewall, not ZoneAlarm, but in Sygate I
> > must give permission for ANYTHING to connect... if ZA works similar,
> > you should be able to view your automatic permissions to see what
> > is listed... and anything that is not listed ZA should display a
> > message saying [something like] "program A wants to connect"
> >
> > If ZA does not give a warning about "non permission" software, you
> > need a better firewall
> >
>
> ZA does do that and actually it was the very first firewall to have
outbound
> connection monitoring and its still free.
>
>

purplehaz

December 11th 03, 07:40 AM

Hi Michael nice to see you.

"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" > wrote in
message ...
> Hi Phil!:-)
>
> --
> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> Windows Shell/User
> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
> "purplehaz" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "John Thomas Smith" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:16:51 -0000, "rifleman" > wrote:
> > > >XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> > > >I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader
> mode
> > > >that connects when I launch it.
> > > >ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> > > >SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
> > Spybot
> > > >and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> > > >How do I find what's doing it?
> > >
> > > I use the Sygate Personal Firewall, not ZoneAlarm, but in Sygate I
> > > must give permission for ANYTHING to connect... if ZA works similar,
> > > you should be able to view your automatic permissions to see what
> > > is listed... and anything that is not listed ZA should display a
> > > message saying [something like] "program A wants to connect"
> > >
> > > If ZA does not give a warning about "non permission" software, you
> > > need a better firewall
> > >
> >
> > ZA does do that and actually it was the very first firewall to have
> outbound
> > connection monitoring and its still free.
> >
> >
>
>

rifleman

December 11th 03, 07:40 AM

"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" > wrote in
message ...
> A few possibilities.
>
> If you have XP set to automatically update,

no, that's disabled

>
> If not, check your e-mail client to see if it is set to check for new mail
> at specified intervals, if it is, try turning that off.

I know about that, this process, whatever it is, is dialing independently of
my mail client.

>
> If you have Real Player installed, it has an option to check for updates
and
> it is enabled by default. Go through the Real Player options and disable
> that feature.

haven't got RealPlayer

Also, any other application that may be set to automatically
> check for updates and many have such a feature now, can be the culprit
with
> this type of issue.

No applications that sre running (ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV) are set to update
automatically. They are both set to manual update.

>
> Also, download, install and run Ad Aware, it might turn up something that
> could be at the root of this issue:
> www.lavasoftusa.com

Done that, and with Spybot as well.

>
> --
> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> Windows Shell/User
> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
> "rifleman" > wrote in message
> ...
> > XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> > I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
> > that connects when I launch it.
> > ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> > SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
> Spybot
> > and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> > How do I find what's doing it?
> >
> >
>
>

Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)

December 11th 03, 07:40 AM

That's about all I have to contribute but, just a heads up, if your mail
client is OE, even if Outlook Express is not open, it might still dial out
so you might want to shut off that feature at least to test. Remember,
Outlook Express and IE are now tightly integrated into the operating system.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"rifleman" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" > wrote in
> message ...
> > A few possibilities.
> >
> > If you have XP set to automatically update,
>
> no, that's disabled
>
> >
> > If not, check your e-mail client to see if it is set to check for new
mail
> > at specified intervals, if it is, try turning that off.
>
> I know about that, this process, whatever it is, is dialing independently
of
> my mail client.
>
> >
> > If you have Real Player installed, it has an option to check for updates
> and
> > it is enabled by default. Go through the Real Player options and
disable
> > that feature.
>
> haven't got RealPlayer
>
> Also, any other application that may be set to automatically
> > check for updates and many have such a feature now, can be the culprit
> with
> > this type of issue.
>
> No applications that sre running (ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV) are set to
update
> automatically. They are both set to manual update.
>
> >
> > Also, download, install and run Ad Aware, it might turn up something
that
> > could be at the root of this issue:
> > www.lavasoftusa.com
>
> Done that, and with Spybot as well.
>
> >
> > --
> > Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> > Windows Shell/User
> > Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> > DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
> >
> > "rifleman" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> > > I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader
mode
> > > that connects when I launch it.
> > > ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> > > SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
> > Spybot
> > > and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> > > How do I find what's doing it?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Malke

December 11th 03, 07:40 AM

rifleman wrote:

> No -I specifically disabled them all!
>
> "Mike Hall" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> Do you have any instant messengers installed?..
>>
>> --
>> History is only the past if we choose to do nothing about it..
>>
>> "rifleman" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > XP Sp1 and fully patched.
>> > I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader
>> > mode that connects when I launch it.
>> > ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
>> > SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual
>> > things,
>> Spybot
>> > and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
>> > How do I find what's doing it?

Well, how about running Task Manager when the dialling out begins and
watch it for processes and programs during and after/

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

rifleman

December 11th 03, 07:41 AM

The main problem is, it tends to do it when the laptop is unattended......

"Malke" > wrote in message
...
> rifleman wrote:
>
> > No -I specifically disabled them all!
> >
> > "Mike Hall" > wrote in message
> > . ..
> >> Do you have any instant messengers installed?..
> >>
> >> --
> >> History is only the past if we choose to do nothing about it..
> >>
> >> "rifleman" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> >> > I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader
> >> > mode that connects when I launch it.
> >> > ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> >> > SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual
> >> > things,
> >> Spybot
> >> > and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> >> > How do I find what's doing it?
>
> Well, how about running Task Manager when the dialling out begins and
> watch it for processes and programs during and after/
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic"

rifleman

December 11th 03, 07:41 AM

Thanks for the tries, anyway.......

"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" > wrote in
message ...
> That's about all I have to contribute but, just a heads up, if your mail
> client is OE, even if Outlook Express is not open, it might still dial out
> so you might want to shut off that feature at least to test. Remember,
> Outlook Express and IE are now tightly integrated into the operating
system.
>
> --
> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> Windows Shell/User
> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
> "rifleman" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" > wrote in
> > message ...
> > > A few possibilities.
> > >
> > > If you have XP set to automatically update,
> >
> > no, that's disabled
> >
> > >
> > > If not, check your e-mail client to see if it is set to check for new
> mail
> > > at specified intervals, if it is, try turning that off.
> >
> > I know about that, this process, whatever it is, is dialing
independently
> of
> > my mail client.
> >
> > >
> > > If you have Real Player installed, it has an option to check for
updates
> > and
> > > it is enabled by default. Go through the Real Player options and
> disable
> > > that feature.
> >
> > haven't got RealPlayer
> >
> > Also, any other application that may be set to automatically
> > > check for updates and many have such a feature now, can be the culprit
> > with
> > > this type of issue.
> >
> > No applications that sre running (ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV) are set to
> update
> > automatically. They are both set to manual update.
> >
> > >
> > > Also, download, install and run Ad Aware, it might turn up something
> that
> > > could be at the root of this issue:
> > > www.lavasoftusa.com
> >
> > Done that, and with Spybot as well.
> >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> > > Windows Shell/User
> > > Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> > > DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
> > >
> > > "rifleman" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > XP Sp1 and fully patched.
> > > > I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader
> mode
> > > > that connects when I launch it.
> > > > ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
> > > > SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things,
> > > Spybot
> > > > and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
> > > > How do I find what's doing it?
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Jim Macklin

December 11th 03, 07:41 AM

Andy

December 11th 03, 07:41 AM

Try setting your Dial-up settings to Never dial a connection (Control
Panel > Connections). Then when programs want to access the internet,
they should pop up a window, asking whether you want them to connect
to the internet.

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:16:51 -0000, "rifleman" > wrote:

>XP Sp1 and fully patched.
>I have Outlook that dials up at 30 min intervals. OE in News reader mode
>that connects when I launch it.
>ZoneAlarm and Avast! AV both set to update manually.
>SOMETHING else is dialling my ISP. I have done all the usual things, Spybot
>and Adaware, and a full AV scan.
>How do I find what's doing it?
>

whoever9262(sickoffakeMSmessages)

December 11th 03, 07:41 AM

The tray clock in XP defaults to calling home. Have you disabled that?

rifleman wrote:

> No -I specifically disabled them all!
>
> "Mike Hall" > wrote in message
> . ..
>
>>Do you have any instant messengers installed?..
>>

rifleman

December 11th 03, 07:41 AM

Ah - didn't think of that! thanks very much. I've turned that off, and we'll
see what happens!

"whoever9262(sickoffakeMSmessages)"
> wrote in message
...
> The tray clock in XP defaults to calling home. Have you disabled that?
>
> rifleman wrote:
>
> > No -I specifically disabled them all!
> >
> > "Mike Hall" > wrote in message
> > . ..
> >
> >>Do you have any instant messengers installed?..
> >>
>