This is the only tool in the list that specifically requires installation, but is a plain and simple network monitoring tool that shows which programs are accessing the internet along with their respective upload and download speeds. Proc Net Monitor has portable and installer versions available and works on Windows XP to 8. Sadly there is no auto refresh option and you have to click the button manually. There is only one display option which is to filter a specific port, although you can kill an active suspicious process, send the process to Virus Total for a security scan and also save the results from the window to a log file. This is from SecurityXploded who make a lot of internet and network tools and will monitor the network activity of all running processes on your system while also showing active network connections for each process and what ports are being used in the windows below. All the tools are portable unless stated. Here’s a selection of 10 easy to use tools to check what programs and processes are trying to access the internet so you have a better idea what’s trying to phone home. Sometimes there will be a function in your internet security software to monitor what’s happening on the network, but if you don’t have the option, you need another way to find out. What you need is something to give a picture of what is going on with the internet connection and what software is actually trying to use it. If you are the adventurous type that downloads and plays around with lots of software especially the dangerous ones such as key generators, patches, cracks or hack tools, then you must be even more careful to check if it’s secretly phoning home. With so many programs periodically going online, it can be difficult to stay totally safe. Malicious software can be programmed to secretly use your internet connection in a similar way and is not visible unless you know how to check.

As useful as it is for software developers, it can also be a threat. “Phoning home” is a term used to describe the process of software connecting to its own server probably to send statistical data, to check for software updates or even to verify the validity of the license. A lot of the software installed on a computer these days requires some form of internet access even if the software itself has no need for a web connection during normal usage.

Process monitor for windows xp