am I really connected?
 

I have virgin broadband, often I am working with other software, paint shop pro as an example, and I have no web pages or outlook express what I call live active.

Yet my virus program (bullguard) comes up with a box on screen saying program updated or other messages.

If the modem is lit up and the usb cable is in the PC, does that mean the line is always active even though the programs mentioned above have not been activated?

Re: am I really connected?
 

Well your standard services such as web browsing are working correctly, right?

Re: am I really connected?
 

Your connection is always on although you are saying you are not using any active web content this does not really matter as you do have other programs and services that are running in the background, you mentiond a couple already such as bulldog which stay in contact checking for any available updates same goes for psp which checks to see if any updates are ready.
There is a host of other programs that stay in contact with the manufacturers.

Re: am I really connected?
 

Yes broadband is an always on connection. Like other's have said some programs access the web looking for updates etc etc. You can cut off by telling your firewall to block all traffic or removing the cable from your pc.

Re: am I really connected?
 

Thanks for that information.

So I might find some advantage to set the firewall to block all traffic and stop my virus program (bullguard) slowing me down?

Re: am I really connected?
 

I wouldn't block your anti virus software, it would never get updated signature files then.

Re: am I really connected?
 

If you set your firewall to bloack all traffic you wont be able to do anything internet related because it will be blocking it all. you can set what programs can access that would be a better idea.