Phantom PPPOE COnnection

ajlevine · 05-15-2006, 06:36 AM

I am connecting my home LAN to residential DSL service through a USR 8004 Router/Switch. One of the 5 computers on the LAN establishes a PPPOE connection (distinct from the Local Area Connection that goes through the network controller) completely on its own. When active, the PPPOE connection constantly sends and receives packets. Occasionally it terminates and disappears, only to return within a few minutes. None of the other computers on the network appear to be affected by the presence or absence of this connection. I can disconnect the connection, but it quickly reconnects itself. I cannot delete the connection.

What is the purpose of this connection? What is it sending and receiving? Should I be concerned about spyware? Any thoughts or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

johnwill · 05-15-2006, 08:57 AM

I would most certainly be worried about this happening! I'd say it's time for a complete sypware/malware scan. I'd post a HijackThis log in our HijackThis Log Help Forum.

05-15-2006, 06:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
ajlevine Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1 OS: Win XP Pro/SP2	Phantom PPPOE COnnection I am connecting my home LAN to residential DSL service through a USR 8004 Router/Switch. One of the 5 computers on the LAN establishes a PPPOE connection (distinct from the Local Area Connection that goes through the network controller) completely on its own. When active, the PPPOE connection constantly sends and receives packets. Occasionally it terminates and disappears, only to return within a few minutes. None of the other computers on the network appear to be affected by the presence or absence of this connection. I can disconnect the connection, but it quickly reconnects itself. I cannot delete the connection. What is the purpose of this connection? What is it sending and receiving? Should I be concerned about spyware? Any thoughts or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

05-15-2006, 08:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I would most certainly be worried about this happening! I'd say it's time for a complete sypware/malware scan. I'd post a HijackThis log in our HijackThis Log Help Forum. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience