Dial up Question

[Kasturi]

Forgive me if I do not explain this very well.

I am currently using dial up to get onto the internet. The other day my system was running very slowly. I ran ad-aware & cleaned up the spy are that was on there. While doing this I noticed that I forgot to install my anti virus program (Stupid I know) anyway when I ran it found about 5 different trojans on there. These were all cleaned off & the system has started to run much better now. One thing that I have noticed after my "cleaning" is that I can no longer hear my modem dialing up the internet. Before I could hear the tones of the numbers being dialed & the ever so faint connection to the modem on the server. I have increased the volume for the modem under its properties but to no avail. This may not seem like a big deal but the one thought that crossed my mind was.....

Lets say my number to connect to the internet is 555-1234
Is it possible for a virus or other program to change the number dialed to 555-1235 without me knowing?

[rjfvillarosa]

There are "Dialer" viruses on the internet that change your dialup properties so that you are dialing up a premium rate number.
The easiest way to check is go to Control Panel>Network Connections and check how many connection icons you have and also check the properties of the default icon to make sure the number is correct.
When you click to make a connection you should have a status box show up on your desktop and usually the number being dialed is displayed for a second or two, can you see this when you try to connect to the internet?

[Kasturi]

When I click on my icon to connect it shows the correct number to be dialed. I was just wondering if it could display that number, but dial another.
(did that make sense?)

[rcvalencia9]

Try to maka a new dial up connection with the same properties with your existing connection and see what happens.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by Kasturi When I click on my icon to connect it shows the correct number to be dialed. I was just wondering if it could display that number, but dial another. (did that make sense?)

It makes sense but it would not happen, your modem is actually dialing the number it is displaying but if you are at all concerned simply do as valencia suggests and create a new connection using your access number, logon name and password, and delete the old connection.

[simontompkins]

you need at least one spyware checker and a virus checker and a firewall - PC Pro have had a free trial of Panda which does all three - it's a bit fiddly but it's OK.
here's a tip for you - whenever you install your system with all the bits you like go into task manager and screen dump (alt+Print Screen) - One of the problems with spyware is that even after getting rid of it advanced programmes reinstall themselves - if you go into task manager you should be able to see whether there are programmes running that shouldn't be- However there are an awful lot of things that windows does normally which is why it's a good idea to screen dump before you connect to the internet.
Also bear in mind the following - Zip and Post Codes are obviously incremental - so I could send a letter to possible codes in the likelihood I'll get a real address - this is no different from how some viruses work ie send to possible ip addresses in the hope of catching someone unawares - the lesson being install service pack and firewall before you connect.
Also for the private user you really should install ghost software. The reason most people don't reinstall after a suspected intrusion is time and bother. If you ghost your system before you connect if you get any problems in future you can just reinstall in quick time - bear in mind that you still ned to clean your system as you can get viruses that bypass windows - I hate to say this but the object is to get things right in order - although I've done the same as you before - execute virus spreaders and spyware checkers and have compulsory life sentences for all those who still trot out the 'windows should be safer' nonsense