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Post by graybeard on Nov 4, 2009 16:55:40 GMT -6
I download their "security" updates when notified, then install them at my convenience, as it almost always requires a reboot. Right after the last update, I noticed my dsl connection running continuously, which is unusual, and with far more Sent packets than incoming. In fact, I closed all programs, watched the CPU activity, etc., and killed the net connection a few times to be sure what was going on. It finally stopped after over 1.2 million Sent packets, and maybe 800,000 received packets.
I did another update this morning, and now the Sent packets are near 2 million, with 1.2 million received.
Is this spyware on steroids?
GB
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Post by unlawflcombatnt on Nov 4, 2009 18:15:49 GMT -6
Graybeard,
Thanks for sharing the information.
I don't know much about this kind of stuff, but I'm always really leery about installing any "updates." I never know what I'm updating to begin with. And most of the times that I have installed upgrades, it's made my computer run slower, and even shut down altogether.
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Post by agito on Nov 5, 2009 0:49:54 GMT -6
my computer has seemed more active as well- and it frustrates the hell out of me that i can't see what it's doing. what programs do you use gray?
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Post by waltc on Nov 5, 2009 23:09:55 GMT -6
Since Win2000 Microsoft has included automatic update installers in their OS's. However they can be turned off if you are savvy enough. That said there are ways of disabling this pernicious feature, pernicious because some of Microsoft's supposed fixes actually break things. Link: www.ehow.com/how_4922056_turn-off-windows-update.html
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Post by graybeard on Nov 10, 2009 8:25:42 GMT -6
Pernicious is right, in this case, Walt. For a day after I posted this, the constant running of the wireless continued. Then MS sent another patch, which I get automatically, but install at my convenience. Installing it stopped the extra wireless activity even before I rebooted.
I run XP and current version of MS IE. Vista is a nightmare by all accounts, and I have postponed buying a new laptop because of it. I have used Microsoft Office since it released, Needed a fresh copy for the laptop I had bought six months before, and after starting to use it, realized the 2007 version was a friggin' nightmare also. I then got an educational copy of 1997-2003 and loaded it, which version my customer needed anyhow, and all is fine with it now. I use Powerpoint for all kinds of wiring diagrams and drawings, and Excel for spreadsheet, and the occasional Word for nasty letters to bill collectors. It seems like they dumbed down Powerpoint 07, making it really frustrating to use.
I loaded Firefox browser into wife's computer, which is never used, and it's fine except I don't like their cookie handling. On IE, you can go to Tools/internet options/privacy/Advanced for cookie handling. I refuse all third party cookies, and all cookies, except where I need them for a transaction or Forum like this one.
I'm on Earthkink dsl for $40 a month. I know that's too much, but their spaminator kills 99% of the spam, which is worth something. I've been considering Verizero FIOS, but I can't even get them to turn off my long distance service, as about my only use for the landline is for the dsl.
GB
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