I am really somewhat puzzled by your question really. How do you KNOW that your computer is actually DOWNLOADING about 100-200 bytes 7 to 8 times per hour?
You are on DSL, correct? This means the computer actually is ALWAYS online when it is turned on, you don't have to have a browser open.
It is very possible that you have a number of programs set to auto-update, if this is the case then those programs will check to see if updates are available and may do so a number of times a day and many programs have updates several times a day...especially anti-virus programs and some anti-spy programs. So it will send out "are there any updates?" and the answer will come back...yes or no. If the answer is yes and whatever program it is will then download the auto update.
You can configure Firefox to actually SHOW a box when a download is taking place, this way you will know what is being downloaded. See my attached. My anti-virus program is the only one I have set to auto update, all the other programs I do manually. There are some days I may get 4 or 5 updates to my anti-virus program AND my Firefox shows this when it happens with a download box.
The sites you note in your post are perfectly legitimate sites;
The first twoare RSS feeds from firefox. An RSS Feed is actually something firefox calls Live Bookmarks. Go to this page for an explanation. They are not actually downloading anything to the computer.
The last one you note is definitely associated with the AVG Anti-spy program and probably an update. Note ewido.net this is the address for the AVG Anti spy program so it was probably either checking for updates and probably receiving one.
This you noteis also perfectly legitimate. Read this linkudp out protocol,destination 255.255.255.255
Now as far as your firewall blocking something regularly, this is what it is SUPPOSED to do. This doesn't mean you have ever been to these sites it just means these sites are trying to access the computer...in other words these sites, which your firewall blocks, are sites which sort of use automatic dialers...sort of like automatic telephone dialers which just dial-up random sets of telephone numbers in hopes of hitting a legitimate telephone number so that they can sell you something. Many businesses use this in their advertising, just as many websites do the same thing. The firewall is doing it's job.
Reply With Quote