WiFi activity on idle laptop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mobius
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Mobius

Lately we have noticed that there is 'activity' on the home wifi connection
of one of our WindowsXP Pro SP3 laptops even when no one is using the
machine.

One can see the wifi tray icon lit up every now and then for several seconds
at a time.

Is there a way to check what is going on and/or passing through?

We did open up Task Manager but the only 'activity' noticed was in "System
Idle Process".

Regards and TIA.

Mobius
--------
 
Lately we have noticed that there is 'activity' on the home wifi connection
of one of our WindowsXP Pro SP3 laptops even when no one is using the
machine.

One can see the wifi tray icon lit up every now and then for several seconds
at a time.

Is there a way to check what is going on and/or passing through?

We did open up Task Manager but the only 'activity' noticed was in "System
Idle Process".

Regards and TIA.

Mobius
--------
Click to expand...

How to track an intruder that logged into my wifi network? -

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090407134608AAlyf51

Eric,
PC Buyer Beware!
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/
 
Mobius said:
Lately we have noticed that there is 'activity' on the home wifi connection
of one of our WindowsXP Pro SP3 laptops even when no one is using the
machine.

One can see the wifi tray icon lit up every now and then for several seconds
at a time.

Is there a way to check what is going on and/or passing through?

We did open up Task Manager but the only 'activity' noticed was in "System
Idle Process".

Regards and TIA.

Mobius
--------
Click to expand...

Hi,
It is normal to blinks that often, becuase the PC talking to the Wireless
Modem/Router, also some WiFi or wireless devices can talk to your W
Modem/Router. But if your Wifi is secured then there is no need to worry as
this Normal.
If your Wireless Network not secured then you need to get it secured.
Making your Wireless Home Network More Secure
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309369

How to protect your wireless network
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/wireless.mspx

What are the different wireless network security methods?
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/b385cc8a-af25-489e-a82e-decf6df26b681033.mspx


Note, you can configure your Modem/Router to save the log and you can look
at it to see the traffics.
HTH,
nass
 
The router is probably polling the laptop to make sure the connection is
still active. The laptop is responding that it is still an active part of
the network. This is normal. You say the laptop is idle. Are there any
applications running such as a browser? If so, it is also possible the
browser could have an active page open which is being periodically
refreshed. Does the laptop have a connection to a network printer? Same
thing. It could be constantly verfying that connection. I doubt anything
has hijacked your network but you can use any of several free applications
to monitor wireless traffic on your home network just to make sure.
 
“Lately we have noticed that there is 'activity' on the home wifi
connection
of one of our WindowsXP Pro SP3 laptops even when no one is using the
machine.”
Click to expand...

Some suggestions:
1) Ensure that you are not broadcasting a SSID
2) Make sure only authorized users have access by account (you set up
in admin)
3) Wireless encryption is turned on (best available/supported)
Some concerns:
1) Conficker has awaken and is working it’s black magic, it makes
connections in the background and downloads and installs programs that
include key loggers and other spyware that traffic information to and
from your system.
2) Make sure your virus prog and firewall are up-to-date and
uncompromised.
 
My response at bottom:
Mobius said:
Lately we have noticed that there is 'activity' on the home wifi
connection
of one of our WindowsXP Pro SP3 laptops even when no one is using the
machine.

One can see the wifi tray icon lit up every now and then for several
seconds
at a time.

Is there a way to check what is going on and/or passing through?

We did open up Task Manager but the only 'activity' noticed was in "System
Idle Process".

Regards and TIA.

Mobius
--------
Click to expand...


Thanks for the very useful information and tips. We are following up on them
as quick as possible.
Regards and thanks again.
Mobius
--------
 
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