If you like to know out about all software programs on your computer that are connecting to the Internet, here’s a simple tip.
Type "perfmon" in the Windows Vista search box to run the "Reliability and Performance Monitor" utility. Next click the Network tab in the right pane to expand it.
Monitor and block computer programs from connecting to the Internet
This will have a list of processes that are currently connecting to the Internet. If you see a web address or process name that looks suspicious, it may be a good idea to terminate the corresponding process via the Task Manager.
This method is Vista specific but if your computer doesn’t have Vista, try the netstat trick which is essentially the same thing sans the GUI. For more Vista tricks, check this list from PC Magazine.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/monitor-programs-connecting-to-internet/5204/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Sorry Amit,
you said “Type “perfmon” in the Windows Vista search box”
But it is not in search box, it is in the “Run” box
Written by SATHEESH on 11.04.08
SATHEESH: if you type “perfmon” in Vista’s start menu Search box, “perfmon.exe” will appear at the top. Press the Enter key, and the “Reliability and Performance Monitor” will open.
Written by Scott on 11.04.08
Is there any way t do same in Xp, I tried perfmon but its not the same in Xp and displays a handful of information only.
Written by Supreet on 11.05.08
Vista? I’m running XP.
Is there a better solution than sysinternals process explorer?
Thank You
Written by Ed on 11.06.08