How do I check what downloads are running in the background?

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by xvszero, Nov 3, 2008.

  1. xvszero

    xvszero Private E-2

    I don't know if this is a stupid question, but my parent's 56k (yeah yeah I know) is pretty much unusable now because the moment you sign in, there is constant downloading going on in the background.

    I know they have Windows and Anti-Virus set up to auto-update, so a lot of this may be legitimate, but I really have no idea how to check on it. And this machine has had viruses i the past.

    It took me seriously about 10 minutes to get to this forum alone. If possible I'd like to find out what is running and how to kill it off... anything important we could always let update when no one is trying to browse the internet or whatever.

    Help?
     
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Two options:

    1) You may wish to use a Startup Manager

    2) If you suspect malware:

    Please follow the instructions in the below link and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.


    • If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

    Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can running steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools on another PC and burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
     
  3. xvszero

    xvszero Private E-2

    Would that help with actual downloads online? I'm not too worried about what is running in the background on start-up, unless it is stuff that will be downloading when I go online...

    I just wonder if there is a quick and easy way to know what all my computer is doing online at any given moment.
     
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Then you need to post in the software forum if you are not having malware issues.
     
  5. xvszero

    xvszero Private E-2

    That's the problem though, I don't know what it is! It could be malware, or it could be legitimate Windows and anti-virus auto-updates that start running. Or it could be legitimate but not needed updates running for the various applications downloaded to the machine over the years.

    I really have no idea, nor do I have any idea how to find out. I sign in, my data transfer shows a ton of downloading going on, but I can't figure out if there is a way to tell where it is coming from.
     
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Then do the instructions I gave you and attach the logs!
     

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds