Unexplained Internet Activity

Vikinghar

Hi, When I turn my Computer on, my BB Modem goes nuts!!! With lights flashing showing that it is very active. I only have one program, MSN Messenger, that starts up when booted, but I still suspect Spyware. Also, when I look in Windows Task Manager, there is a hell of a lot of processes going on and I want to know how to tell the good and needed ones from the un-needed ones. Any sujestions? I do not have all of my original program disks!! V

Black Swan

Do you have any of the basic malware protections installed, like a firewall, anti-virus programme, and one or more anti-spyware/adware programmes? If so, do you keep them updated, and occasionally run scans?

Do you frequently update your operating system with patches, fixes, and upgrades? Do you also ensure that your applications are kept updated?

Do you often disk clean, perhaps with ccleaner, to remove a lot of the crap that builds up from accessing the web?

Do you periodically defragment your disk?

Do you still have a lot of the unused bloatware that often comes with a computer when you buy it, that you have not removed, or kept updated?