who activates my Dsl connection?

[jacob]

hi,
for 3-4 days, i noticed that some unknown entity(app, process?)
on my pc, is activating my Dsl connection, automaticaly, on
random times. NAV scan came with no results. about an hour ago
a SPYBOT scan came with an adware named "toolbar888", which
was removed from reg. is this malware capable of doing that?
if not, can anyone give me more hints on how to find the problem?

 

[JS]

Install a software based firewall such a Zone Alarm (free version), any
application trying to connect to the internet will be flagged and you will
decide what is or is not allowed to connect.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

JS

 

[jacob]

thx JS,
i want to be cautious before trying this. so, a question:
does it *replace* windows firewall, or *added* to it?
---
jacob

Install a software based firewall such a Zone Alarm (free version), any
application trying to connect to the internet will be flagged and you will
decide what is or is not allowed to connect.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

JS

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

i want to be cautious before trying this. so, a question:
does it *replace* windows firewall, or *added* to it?

If you use a third-party firewall, you should use it to replace the Windows
firewall. Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you
incur the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
(probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.

See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx which
includes the following:

"Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall from a
different company on my Windows XP computer?

"A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for typical home
computers, home networking, and small-business networking scenarios. Using
two firewalls on the same connection could cause issues with connectivity to
the Internet or other unexpected behavior. One firewall, whether it is the
Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall or a different software firewall,
can provide substantial protection for your computer."

Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new version, the
update routine will probably turn it off first. If the Windows firewall
isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no running firewall, which
is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows firewall temporarily before doing
maintenance on your third-party firewall.

The Windows firewall monitors incoming traffic only. Almost any third-party
firewall will also monitor outbound traffic, stopping rogue programs trying
to call home, and is a better choice.

 

[JS]

If you are using Windows firewall, after you download the free version of
Zone Alarm, disconnect from the internet, turn Windows Firewall off (you
don't want two firewalls running as they may conflict and cause problems)
and install Zone Alarm (during the install make certain you select the Free
version option).

Once Zone Alarm is up and running then you can re-connect to the internet.
Zone Alarm need to be taught what software/applications are allowed to
connect Every Time (things like Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, AV
updates, Etc.), Allow only once and ask me each time I use this particular
product (Thinks like Application software updates than are issued on an
infrequent basis) and Do not allow ever.

JS

thx JS,
i want to be cautious before trying this. so, a question:
does it *replace* windows firewall, or *added* to it?

 

[Elmo]

hi,
for 3-4 days, i noticed that some unknown entity(app, process?)
on my pc, is activating my Dsl connection, automaticaly, on
random times. NAV scan came with no results. about an hour ago
a SPYBOT scan came with an adware named "toolbar888", which
was removed from reg. is this malware capable of doing that?
if not, can anyone give me more hints on how to find the problem?

It could be:

- Windows timesynch.

- Any software including a/v software looking for updates.