Constant Internet Connection

[Bill]

I have just networked a small office with 6 computers.
The host computer is running Win XP Pro. We have 3 client
computers running Win 98, 1 client computer running Win
XP Pro, and 1 client computer running Win XP Home.
The network connections are fine, and the Internet
Connection Sharing is working. My problem is this: the
host computer constantly wants to dial up the internet,
even when there is no apparent activity on the network.
Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere on the host
computer? We would like to connect to the internet ONLY
when one of us calls for it. I'm not comfortable with the
host computer dialing up on it's own. We connect to the
internet via a modem on the host computer to a local ISP.
Has anyone seen this problem before?

 

[Wÿrm]

....

My problem is this: the
host computer constantly wants to dial up the internet,
even when there is no apparent activity on the network.

Have you checked your system for Viruses and Trojans incase it happen to be
one of those that want to get in internet?

Update your virus killer, use it and see what comes up.

Also, get some FireWall software (one FREE, good one, can be found at
http://www.zonelabs.com) and install that. That way you get idea what
program/component it is that is trying to connect to net.

I would also recommend you to download two other freeware programs (and
after that update them) to seek trojans. AdAware from www.lavasoft.de and
SpyBot Seek & Destroy from http://security.kolla.de

Those should help preventing your system to be infected by viruses, or
trojans and stuff like that incase those might be reason for constant
dialing to internet...

<snip>

 

[steve wilson]

Im dealing with the same situation. Does the name lop.com
ring any bells for ya? I hope not. Email me with an
answer if you dont mind.
Steve

 

[Wÿrm]

Im dealing with the same situation. Does the name lop.com

ring any bells for ya? I hope not. Email me with an
answer if you dont mind.
Steve

ah, old spyware lop.com ... download and run AdAware (www.lavasoft.de) and
SpyBot Seek & Destroy (http://security.kolla.de). install them, UPDATE them,
and RUN them to seek/remove spyware etc stuffs. And install FIREWALL, some
free firewall will be just fine, something like ZoneAlarm from
www.zonelabs.com. Also I would update and run Virus scanner just in case.
And keep it ON, and up to date, always.

And from now on, do not automatically install everything that popup's in net
tell you do, or want you agree. Besides that, WHEN you install programs next
time, always RUN AdAware and SpyBot seek & destroy after installing them
(before starting those installed programs). It will keep you out from lot of
misery in these kinda things.

 

[David Schings]

...

Have you checked your system for Viruses and Trojans incase it happen to be
one of those that want to get in internet?

Update your virus killer, use it and see what comes up.

Also, get some FireWall software (one FREE, good one, can be found at
http://www.zonelabs.com) and install that. That way you get idea what
program/component it is that is trying to connect to net.

I would also recommend you to download two other freeware programs (and
after that update them) to seek trojans. AdAware from www.lavasoft.de and
SpyBot Seek & Destroy from http://security.kolla.de

Those should help preventing your system to be infected by viruses, or
trojans and stuff like that incase those might be reason for constant
dialing to internet...

<snip>

Couple of comments:

1) Free version of Zonealarm doesn't support internet connection sharing
(unless they updated very recently)

2) Go to Control Panel/Internet Connections. Under the "Advanced" dropdown
select "Dial-up Preferences". In the "Autodial" tab check "Always ask me
before Autodialing". Now when an application on the host computer trys to
connect is will bring up a dialog box asking if it's OK for that application
to connect. Once you find the source and change it (mine was a virus
scanner trying to automatically update itself) you can go back and uncheck
the box. I don't think you will get this dialog box if one of the other
clients trys to connect, however.

3) Insure people on the remote computers close browser and disconnect from
internet. Some web pages will automatically refresh which will establish a
new connection.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[Wÿrm]

1) Free version of Zonealarm doesn't support internet connection sharing
(unless they updated very recently)

hmm, Good point. I guess I haven't thought of that or checked it out
Maybe because I have had my pro so long time already because always been
happy with ZoneAlarm