Help, maybe being hacked?

[thorinator]

I have 2 questions of a security nature..One brought me here, and the other was prompted by something I read on here. First thing that
is starting to freak me out: I just got a program on my computer called CallerIP'.
If you don't know what that is, basically shows you the IP's of whoever is connecting to me..the ones that are known IP's are in yellow.,and there
are lots of them!! I have Microsoft and Adobe etc. connecting quite often HOW do I get them OFF my system, and block them? I'm not sure how to use CallerIP or SafePeer to do this. Please help so I can getback to what I'm actually trying to learn- web design. back end management and graphics et. Also I would like to know how to disable Windows automatic updates (after what I've read on here, yikes!). I also have had some screwy stuff happen on my computer, after a new WinXP OS and yes, the updates lol. Thanks.

[ZaZu]

To disable Windows updates go to administrative tools choose 'services'. then right click 'automatic updates' choose 'disabled'

[100%]

If you watch ip's passing your sytem youll go insane, forget it.
as long as you have a good firewall your ok
what to watch out for is the cpu usage and bandwidth usage of applications

to disable background applications from abusing you - first disable unecessary ones in your startup - done so......

REMOVE STARTUP PROGRAMS
Many programs you install set themselves to run automatically when you start up your computer. Each program that runs on startup not only consumes system resources but also extends the length of time it takes your PC to fully boot.
it is generally unnecessary to have any programs running in the background (other than security software like virus-scanners or firewalls) disable your unwanted startup programs to increase your startup speed and conserve system resources.

Method 1 - Startup Controller Utility:
I prefer to use other start up controller programs such as Registry Cleaner to control what is allowed to startup.
(look on google for other Startup software-lots of freebies)
I would advize using this one : STARTUP CONTROLLER Panelhttp://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml



but
you can use the MSCONFIG utility
The 'startup' tab in MSCONFIG provides access to several other applications that are started at boot up and are running in the background.
By examining their Filenames and directories, you should be able to get a feeling for what is necessary and what is not.
Be aware than several viruses and worms have a habit of disguising themselves with authoritative sounding Windows system file names,
such as the Win32.spybot.worm as MSCONFIG32.EXE. Leave these for now if you are not sure. (this paragraph taken from pcstats.com)
Go to 'start\run' and type 'msconfig'
Click on the "startup" tab (furthest right)\
Unclick any items you don't want to load when windows starts.
after editing the msconfig utility and rebooting a pop warning will come-simply clik "do not warn me again"

"Do you ever uninstall programs and they are still listed under startup items in msconfig? Personally, I found myself with 30 such items from old installs.
Microsoft leaves you no way to clean up this list, but have no fear, I have figured it out for you.
1. Open MSconfig and click on the startup items tab
2. Open Regedit and navigate to HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Sharedtools/MSconfig
3. Compare the list of registry keys under startupfolder and startupreg with their counterparts in msconfig.
4. Delete the keys which are no longer valid.
5. Voila! You've cleaned up msconfig.
by Simon Tuck (reviewed by yoyo) http://tweakxp.com/tweak981.aspx

Check - Startup Folder in StartMenu
Goto Start > Programs > StartUp
Simply delete any programs you don’t want to load on startup. Windows does not put any critical files in here so relax.
This directory can also be a repository for various badness such as spyware and virus software, so if there are files here which are not shortcuts and you don't recognize them, you may wish to consider removing them.


Method 2 - From Within the Program
Open any program that starts up with windows-
goto options or preferences and look for something like "Start with windows" etc -
remove that and it wont load. (generally when you install a program it should politely ask you if you want it to start with Win).
e.g.: Messenger fans
To stop windows messenger from loading at startup.
go to tools-options-preferences-"uncheck”, run this program when windows starts, and run this program in the background.
You can still use it by clicking the icon, but it won't load with windows on start up.
taken from http://www.filesharingtalk.com/vb3/t83795.html

also run hijackthislog program and check for abusive programs via http://www.filesharingtalk.com/vb3/t113157.html

[harrycary]

I wouldn't disable Windows update. The only reason would be if you're using a bootleg copy of a Windows O/S. Even then you just won't be able to receive critical updates.

It's just plain stupid to not update your O/S regularly. And, since you appear to be on the paranoid side with regard to internet security, I don't see why you would do it in the first place.