Does MSN Messenger show up as internet usage?

[Ceolas]

Hi!

I have MSN (not windows) Messenger at work, my previous work group used it
all the time, it was requested by our Director. However, I've moved jobs at
the same company, and this new group doesn't use it at all. But, it's still
on my computer and I'm logged on all day in case I need to communicate with
people in my old area. Does anyone know if this will show up as internet
usage? Like surfing the net would? They are pretty strict about that here
and I don't want to appear as if I am just playing on the web all the time
when really I just have MSN messenger open.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

The answer is yes, although how much traffic would depend on how Messenger is connecting.

First of all, the advertisements, tabs, etc. in Messenger are all downloaded from the web and
as such, certainly will appear as web traffic. As well as actually logging into the service.

If Messenger is making a direct connection to the service, it will be using its own protocol
and port, which will generate traffic as people sign in and off, but otherwise will be pretty
quiet. If Messenger is making a HTTP connection to the service, then it'll be constantly
probing the Messenger server for IMs and so on, in which case it would appear you're doing
more traffic (although it's still pretty low bandwidth).

You can check how Messenger is connected by opening up the main Messenger window, pressing
Alt to select the menubar, choosing the Tools menu, then Options, then Connection category
and after waiting a few seconds for it to enumerate the information, it will tell you right
at the top of the dialog.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Ceolas]

Thank you! I did as you had said, and it lists the following:

"You are currently connect to .net messenger service using your default
browser's HTTP proxy serving settings. You are connected to the internet
through wired network connection. You are connected to the internet thorugh
a non-UPnP port restricted NAT. (Administrator)"

So i'm assuming this means it looks like I'm on the internet all the time?
Ugh! They basically just track it by the minute, how long you're connected,
so I'm guessing this won't look good!


I opened it up

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Ceolas,

You're very welcome. Although technically yes, it would appear that way, but I'm sure if
they're rather strict about this that they look at more data than that (like the actual sites
you're going to). It would be rather obvious exactly what's happening to anyone looking at
the logs.

As always, if at all possible, your best bet is to find out who's responsible for monitoring
and/or enforcing this and making friends with them . Or at the very least, make some
enquires to get "permission", since you obviously have a valid business reason for using
Messenger.

Plus, I doubt you're the only one using it.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Ceolas]

Thank you again!

Hi Ceolas,

You're very welcome. Although technically yes, it would appear that way, but I'm sure if
they're rather strict about this that they look at more data than that (like the actual sites
you're going to). It would be rather obvious exactly what's happening to anyone looking at
the logs.

As always, if at all possible, your best bet is to find out who's responsible for monitoring
and/or enforcing this and making friends with them . Or at the very least, make some
enquires to get "permission", since you obviously have a valid business reason for using
Messenger.

Plus, I doubt you're the only one using it.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.