internet downloading all the time

sheridan · 27-02-2005, 11:19

I have got DU Meter installed ..and have noticed that it dribbles a download all the time the computer is on ..is this normal , I ask because of ntl's new upgrades of 3gb per month ..

the amount is small but if I am not browsing ect and just look at the meter .the download just keeps on going .this all adds up as the month goes on ..

Graham M · 27-02-2005, 11:21

Depends on what programs you are running, MSN? ICQ? etc. these all use a very small portion of bandwidth to make sure that they are all connected etc. Otherwise, have you run a Virus/Spyware scan lately?

sheridan · 27-02-2005, 11:37

no spyware on my machine .

but i think it's like you say' it's just cheching that it's conected all the time ..
but still uses bandwidth .i will have to pull out the plug when not on the web ..

Paul K · 27-02-2005, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheridan

no spyware on my machine .

but i think it's like you say' it's just cheching that it's conected all the time ..
but still uses bandwidth .i will have to pull out the plug when not on the web ..

What tools have you run to reach that conclusion? You'll notice the plural there as one tool alone will rarely catch all malware

How much download are we talking and what protection is running on your machine?

sheridan · 27-02-2005, 11:56

microsoft antispyware .ad-aware .

i had a couple of others but i felt that 2 is enough .
also got EZ firewall and antivirus all up to date ect ..
as i say just a kb or 2 every few seconds.

ian@huth · 27-02-2005, 11:58

It could be something like a utility such as Norton Systemworks that has a sensor set for Internet speed pinging the selected site in it. It's so easy to forget such things.

punky · 27-02-2005, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheridan

no spyware on my machine .

but i think it's like you say' it's just cheching that it's conected all the time ..
but still uses bandwidth .i will have to pull out the plug when not on the web ..

TBH you don't need to be so drastic. With MSN, ICQ and Yahoo Messenger running 24 hours straightwith no browsing, probably only uses 5-10 meg. Even with heavy browsing I can only use like 30-50 meg a day. It is negligable, really.

sheridan · 27-02-2005, 12:23

i have been off work this week ,so have been online more than normal ..and am averaging about 40 -50 mb per day according to the meter .

so this is about right then ..

thanks for your help chaps

sheridan · 27-02-2005, 18:05

keeping an eye on the meter today has shown about 0.5 to 1.5 kb download per second steady rate ..

but glad to say no upload ..

i am just curious as to what it could be .is it just background noise ..
would like to here from others with DU meter just to see if its the same ..

Raistlin · 27-02-2005, 18:08

you could try going to the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd) and typing netstat -b

That should list all of the excutables that have created an open connection or are listening to a port. You might see something there that could give you a clue.

Not too sure about the netstat command myself, but it might prove useful.

Paul K · 27-02-2005, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheridan

keeping an eye on the meter today has shown about 0.5 to 1.5 kb download per second steady rate ..

but glad to say no upload ..

i am just curious as to what it could be .is it just background noise ..
would like to here from others with DU meter just to see if its the same ..

Just installed it here to check and I'm showing no upload or download while idle from behind a router.

Alan Waddington · 27-02-2005, 18:15

I normally get a load of traffic when i log on, then mostly nothing, unless Windows Update is downloading updates in the background. I have set mine to ask before downloading, but if you have set it to auto-download, then there's a fair chance that some patches are being fetched.

Matth · 27-02-2005, 19:30

Added a router, nice and quiet behind it.

On a direct connection, most of the background is ARP (address resolution protocol).