AboutCarolyn Meinel Expertise I cover Windows, Unix, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, Palm Pilot, or other networking issues.
Experience Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker)
My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).
I wonder if it is possible for you to help! I recently upgraded my Broadband connection to a Hub unit (fixed to PC by USB) which enables a wirless connection in my house from which I can connect to the Internet via my laptop.
However, I have noticed that now when I finish an Internet session or sending e-mail's the Broadband appears to 'stay on'. The reason I say this is that during my old connection (standard 'Speedtouch' modem) I used to get two small computer screens appearing in my work bar at the foot of the windows page which I could double click to disconnect.
Now with this new hub, when I finish a session there is nothing and I fear that my PC is still connected to the Internet - I don't want this to be the case when I am not using the PC.
I run Windows ME (yes I know I probably need to upgrade this) but I wonder if you know how I can make those connection screens appear in the bottom workbard again. As I say, otherwise there seems to be no way to disconnect if needs be. Some kind of onscreen indicator would be useful.
If you need any further information please let me know. Many thanks in advance.
Neil
Answer You can always just physically disconnect your computer from your broadband line.
To find out whether that USB wireless networking device causes your PC to be continually connected to the Internet, hold down the ctrl and alt keys together then click the del key. This should bring up the task manager. Look under networking.
Another test is to click Start --> run and type command.com in the command window. This will bring up a window where you can type commands. Type
tracert cnn.com
If your laptop is still connected to the Internet you should see something like this:
Tracing route to cnn.com [64.236.16.52]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms www4.cnn.com [64.236.16.52]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 25 ms 25 ms 26 ms albq-dsl-gw11-203.albq.qwest.net [67.42.200.203]
4 26 ms 25 ms 26 ms 71-222-248-81.albq.qwest.net [71.222.248.81]
Or, you could click Start --> Control Panel and click Networking. It should show you whether your broadband connection is active.
