Keith Powell wrote: > On Thursday 23 Jun 2005 15:54, Stephen Kuhn wrote: > >>On Thu, 2005-06-23 at 13:52 +0100, Keith Powell wrote: >> >>>Setup here is one computer and one operator (me!) >>> >>>I installed Skype to try it out, and was surprised to find that my ADSL >>>router was showing a lot of data being transferred even when I was idling >>>in Skype. Before installing Skype, there was no router activity unless I >>>was active on the internet. >>> >>>Then I found that, by installing the program, you have to agree to the >>>Skype people using your router as a server for other machines. As I am on >>>capped broadband, I was not able to allow this. So I deselected allowing >>>them to use port 80. >>> >>>Data transfer dropped quite a lot when I was in "idle" mode, but there >>>was still some. It was fairly continuous, rather than the very >>>intermittent and small amount there should have been just to occasionally >>>send my "I'm still here!" signal. So I have uninstalled Skype. >>> >>>According to the TX/RX light on my router, there are still bursts of data >>>going through it, suggesting to me that it is still being used by others. >>> >>>As I am nearly at my broadband cap for this month, I am having to keep my >>>router switched off and only switch it on when I want to go on the >>>internet. >>> >>>I am wondering if Skype, having found my router, is still using it >>>although I no longer run their program. >>> >>>Please, how can I find out what is causing this router usage, and what >>>can I do to stop it? I don't want my ISP to surcharge me for using more >>>than my allowance when it isn't my fault! >>> >>>Many thanks for any advice. >>> >>>Keith >> >>Skype was created by the same bloke that created (originally) Kazaa. >>What do you think? You're now known as a node. Want to REALLY see the >>traffic on yer system? Install trafshow or iptraf and WATCH the >>activity. >> >>Yet another reason I've not installed Skype on a working system. > > > Stephen. > > Does this mean that there is *nothing* I can do to stop this "hijacking" of > my > router and so bumping up my monthly broadband usage? > > Cheers > > Keith > If you removed the software, then the trafic you are seeing is probably people trying to connect to the program. There is no way to stop people from trying to connect. But the bandwith usage from them trying does not amount to anything.
I am not sure how Skype does it, but if it is like most software of this type, the connection attempts will die out as your IP address expires in the list of servers. If your router reported it, you would be supprised by the number of different people trying to connect to your system. By the way, turning your router off doesn't stop them from trying to connect. Also, they can not "hijacking" your router unless you have the software running on one of the computers on your network. You probably also need to have your router set to forward the incomming connections to that computer. The firewall-routers for home use will not process this type of connection by themselves, so to "hijacking" one requires software running on your computer. (Things can be done by changing the firmware of the router, but that is another story, and requires firmware specificly for your router.) Mikkel -- Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!
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