How to Turn Broadband On/Off via software

  • Thread starter Thread starter PT
  • Start date Start date
P

PT

I've frequently read that broadband internet users are at special risk for
being hacked, since the internet connection is always open.

I can always physically unplug my computer from the external DSL modem when
I'm not using the internet. However, it seems to me that there should be an
easy way through the Windows XP network software to cut off the connection,
essentially by clicking.

Are there any shareware or commercial programs that would do this
conveniently?

Alternatively, there should be a DOS type command that can be written as a
batch file or pair of files to do this from a pair of icons on the desktop.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
In the properties of your network connection, there should be a
check box for showing a tray icon when the connection is active.
If you enable that, you can right click on the connection box
and select "disable" [unfortunately, that ALSO removed the tray
icon (temporarily) and you have to go to the network connections
via the start button to reenable the connection later]

HTH
 
"Kerry Liles" said in news:%23%[email protected]:
In the properties of your network connection, there should be a
check box for showing a tray icon when the connection is active.
If you enable that, you can right click on the connection box
and select "disable" [unfortunately, that ALSO removed the tray
icon (temporarily) and you have to go to the network connections
via the start button to reenable the connection later]

HTH



PT said:
I've frequently read that broadband internet users are at special
risk for being hacked, since the internet connection is always open.

I can always physically unplug my computer from the external DSL
modem when I'm not using the internet. However, it seems to me that
there should be an easy way through the Windows XP network software
to cut off the connection, essentially by clicking.

Are there any shareware or commercial programs that would do this
conveniently?

Alternatively, there should be a DOS type command that can be
written as a batch file or pair of files to do this from a pair of
icons on the desktop.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

But PT is still at risk when he/she decides to enable the LAN connectoid.
Guess PT hasn't heard of firewalls. Hey, PT, get a firewall. Some NAT
routers have firewalls but those are simplistic and only protect from
inbound attacks (which is at least better than the nothing you had before),
while software firewalls will also protect against unauthorized outbound
connections, like zombies or spyware trying to phone home.

--
 
Alternatively, there should be a DOS type command that can be written as a
batch file or pair of files to do this from a pair of icons on the desktop.
Click to expand...

I did this for my mother on her NT4 system now that she has cable.
In a batch file:
ipconfig /release
pause
ipconfig /renew

It would be even better if I could figure out how not to acquire the link
at boot time, since a lot of the time all she wants to do is word processing
without an Internet connection. I suppose I could put a shortcut to the
batch file into the Startup folder but right now it is just on her Desktop
for use whenever she is feeling anxious about being connected.


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
 
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