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unexplained internet activity

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by impbait

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Every 10 seconds the modem activity icon in the system tray will flash once indicating something is going on, even when I am not doing anything. I am running Win98SE with Norton Antivirus 4 and Zonealarm 3.1. I have tried closing all programs but the 2 above and not allowing any programs internet access in the Zonealarm control panel but the activity still continues. I have also done a full virus scan with current definitions. What could be causing this activity? What else can I look for to find out what's going on here?

6 replies

by joseph moore

ZA does "phone home" to check for updates. It could just be that.
Also, the SERVICES.EXE will allow inbound connections (listed in ZA as "services and controller app") for DHCP, so it could also be that.
I am not sure if Norton is connecting and checking for updates, but that is also a possibility.

I would look at it this way. Deny everything in ZA (including ZA itself) from accessing the Internet and from being a Server.
Then see what pops up as trying to communicate. But, I would not be overly concerned. If you have done a full anti-virus scan (with updated anti-virus definitions), then you are probably ok.

by dustyd

Are both the icons flashing, or just one?
Do you have your modem configured to keep-alive your internet connection?
Does your Zonealarm icon indicate activity at the same time? If not, I wouldn't worry.
Check Zonealarm's log files for blocked activity.

by impbait

Both modem icons flash once at the same time. Zone Alarm doesn't show any activity when this happens and it doesn't show up in the log either. I have tried dialing an alternate number for my ISP and it does not do it on that one. It used to not do it in the past on any number I dialed.

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