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Identifying processes that use Internet

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by nordeide

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I have a case where a Win98SE PC tries to reach the Internet at random times. The PC is connected to the Internet via an ISDN router, and a lot of Internet access means higher ISDN costs.

I have made sure that there are no programs that checks the Internet for newer versions (their antivirus program checks for newer virus definitions, of course, but that program's Internet use is accounted for). I have checked for viruses, uninstalled "spyware" applications and then removed remaining traces using Ad-aware 6.0, and checked that only legitimate programs and processes are included in Windows's Startup folder and under the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, \RunOnce and \Services keys, as well as under the similar keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys in the Registry.

Still, the PC connects to the Internet at random times, and it is not the typical DNS calls that Win98 is known for. That was solved long ago when I changed the value HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\MSTCP\EnableDNS from 1 to 0.

Are there any (shareware/freeware?) programs out there that can tell which processes is trying to reach an Internet location, so that I can identify the "guilty" program and reconfigure or remove it?

Any help would be appreciated!

5 replies

by esstee

Zone Alarm - will tell you what internal program is trying to access the internet as well as who may be trying to access your computer from the outside. You must make sure you set the program to ask you for permission for any program to access the internet. I have found the several windows programs (i.e., wcmdmgr, windows update)access the internet periodically. It works well for me -- you can download the trial version and free version at http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/support.jsp and look at the left hand frame. Hope this helps.

by ann777

What firewall do you have?

Every firewall out there (either hardware or software based) has logging capabilities.

For instance on my LinkSys router, I can turn on the log and essentially find out both incoming or outgoing ip addresses/websites etc. that are being visited.

You might want to check into your firewall capabilities.

If you aren't using one, then download one of the many freeware ones, and use it... especially if your computer is connected to the Internet all the time.

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