cable modem

[LordEdmond]

hi guys i have dumped dialup and had cable installed ( should have done this a long time ago)

the question is, when the pc is off why is the data light on the modem flashing on/off, this seems to be at regular intervals but sometimes it will flash on/off for a long time?

 

[gsaldivar]

Several things can cause this:

- Traffic from other computers on your local network segment,

- "Code Red" or similar viruses & port-scanners,

- Your own ISP doing remote-access upgrades of firmware & diagnostics of network equipment.

As long as you have a hardware or software firewall and virus checking software - you really don't have anything to worry about.

Welcome to broadband! 😀 - Here's some sites to keep you busy:

Free Movie Trailers
BBC News - Live from the U.K. (This should open in Windows Media Player)

 

[JeremiahTheGreat]

dunno about other countries..

but in Australia Telstra Cable (3GB limit!!! 🙁) there is an evil little thing called the "heart beat" that tracks whether your computer in online and if it isn't, pinches your IP address and gives it to someone else.

Also, it screws up Zone Alarm when in high security. It may/may not be relevant 🙂

 

[gsaldivar]

"...tracks whether your computer in online and if it isn't, pinches your IP address and gives it to someone else..."

Any TCP/IP network does this. It's the "nature of the beast" so to speak...

In order to provide your computer with a network connection, there must be some upstream communication of your computer's ready-state to your ISP.

Add to that any IM software such as AIM, ICQ, MSN, etc. which communicates online-status... And Windows Update which constantly checks for OS updates... And virus checking software which is constantly checking for new virus updates...

it's easy to see that it's nearly impossible to *be* on the Internet, without somebody, somewhere - having the ability to track that you are there as well.

Bottom line: Get a hardware or software firewall. Get a virus scanner. Then put your mind at ease and enjoy the Internet... 😀

 

[LordEdmond]

thanks guys I do have a firewall installed, as its new to me to have cable i was not sure what was what