what is my computer talking to ?

[tigler]

Since I've had my new laptop I've noticed that there is always slight activity on the Internet connection, indicated by the lights on the computer and the router. This wasn't evident on the dead Philips laptop.
Is there anyway to interrogate the connection to determine what this activity is ?
The AV that came on the Lenovo is Mcafee, could it be that ?

 

[Wozzaaah]

It'll just be programs 'calling home' checking for updates etc, I imagine new computers come preloaded with a fair bit of stuff.
Could also be messaging programs etc.
Nothing to get too concerned about, you'll soon get rid of stuff you don't use or want.

 

[danelectro]

It's probably doing a million tons of updates on windows and possibly mcafee. I've had mine for several months, and I'm convinced that's the only reason i bought it.....just to do stupid frigging updates.

If you press ctrl+alt+Delete, then click on Task manager, then click the performance tab, you'll see what's going on regarding processor usage, and if you click networking you'll see what traffic is doing.

Quite frankly I'm wishing I'd never got rid of my old laptop, mainly because it worked!!!!

Don't think it's anything to worry about tbh

 

[Drains]

New pc's spend a lot of time updating until their (win7?) system is current. Tiresome. Another plus for Macs.
Probably worth spending an hour or two getting rid of un-necessary startup programs (msconfig), but don't stop anything important!

As said, the Internet chatter is nothing to worry about, but you can always turn off your wifi while you're not actively online, if you like.

 

[cumbriasteve]

The trouble with most bought off the shelf PC's is they come with all sorts of files and programs that benefit the maker etc, sending info regarding the sites you visit and gathering information to make a profile, then you find when you visit a site the adverts are tailored to you, works the same way as cookies do.

Even on mine which was custom made and has no makers software, I googled for a new DVD player, from then on I was inundated with DVD ads no matter which site I was on, clearing your cookies will help but be careful deleting what appears to be the makers software and no use to you, it can affect other elements of the package.

 

[ajf]

hi
just block the programs in the firewall so they can not update i use avg internet security it works well

 

[the snooper]

you will need to type cmd in the search pannel
then open up the command prompt and type

netstat -a

that will show all active connections note there must be a space between netsat and the hyphen

-f is also a usefull one

and netstat -g will give you more info on what else is available

have fun

 

[rikrobson]

could be a number of thing.

netstat will give you the current connections. only ESTABLISHED ones are actually connected.

you may also be using uPnP which enables programs to communicate with the router to get inbound connections to work. Usually file sharing programs.

there will be a certain amount of traffic on your network anyway, what else is connected?

are you wired or wireless. there will be more activity if multiple devices are all using the wifi, just due to the nature of how it works.

What type of router is it?

if its a bog standard router then it wont have a way of checking the data. if its a proper router then you could enable logging or will have access to tools that will show what traffic there is.

you can also packet trace the connection, but that's gonna take some expertise.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Press Crt+Alt and Delete similtainously this will bring up the task manager, go to "processes" and observe whats active?

 

[rkde]

in win 7 Crt+Alt and Delete does not directly bring up the task manager in all cases so ctrl+shirt+esc will take you directly there. Majority of the times is windows updating or something else having a look on line.

I am sure that the mac and linux do the same and its just an annoyance and I am glad my car doesn't just do updates when it wants. Software gives us users the worst purchase experience ever!

 

[tigler]

Task manager is bought up easily by just left clicking on the task bar and clicking task manager in the pop up menu. No particular activity is evident from the processes and applications in task manager though.

 

[knoba]

Congrats on a new lappy, tigler!

rkde
in win 7 Crt+Alt and Delete does not directly bring up the task manager in all cases so ctrl+shirt+esc will take you directly there. Majority of the times is windows updating or something else having a look on line.

I am sure that [...] linux do the same and its just an annoyance and I am glad my car doesn't just do updates when it wants. Software gives us users the worst purchase experience ever!

For clarification; with linux, both the "ctrl + alt + del" & "ctrl + shift + esc" key combo actions can offer tailored results with no globally consistent default "out of the box", across different distributions. Updates are also at "user's (root) discretion" whether done; manually, automatically, or any combination thereof. All network traffic (inbound & outbound) is, again, the same deal as above, as are processes (system & user) &, of course, linux users don't pay (£) for software.

True freedom has no limitations. Not something that suits everyone...

@ tigler:- I believe a lot of Windows' programs (including Windows itself) "write home" these days. Some check for authenticity (anti-piracy), DB (database) updates like AV (anti-virus) programs, handshakes with external hardware/software, ISP's (internet service providers) & OEM's, keep-alive connections... and so on. They don't make it easy.

Depending on what's loaded, on your system, it may be more beneficial to check out Windows' & "user software" specific forums.

HTH (hope this helps)