Computer Security type question from a guy whose PC knowledge is miniscule!?

Question

We rarely turn our computer off but recently, when I sit down and use the computer, mostly for email and surfing general info, I have this big blue screen that says Microsoft Windows XP on one side and Compaq Owner on the right side. Underneath Compaq Owner it always notes there is one program running. Since I don't have any programs running that mystified and irritated me so I asked a friend who knows a bit more than me and he said for me to hit control, alt, delete and it would tell me what program was running. I do that and it says, "Compaq connection agent", so then I right click on it and delete it but it always comes back, I guess whenever I log on the internet? Anyway, my question is who is this "Compaq connection agent" and do I need it for any reason and if not how do I permanently get rid of it. Irritates me when I get a message telling me that other people are logged on to my computer whenever I re-start. Thanks.

Answer 1

you say you never switch off your computer, bad practice always switch your computer off when unattended there are many reasons for this,, I won't go through them

it could be that you have a hacker on your computer, they love people like you that never turns the computer off they could be doing unlawful thing through your computer, and you would never know until you get a knock on your fount door,

Now every time you switch your computer on and go on the internet your ISP gives your computer a IP number. every where you go on the internet that number is left on every site you visit.along with the date and time. you need to log off and close down the computer, then every time you log onto the internet you will get a new IP address number from you ISP ( internet service provider)

A hacker finds that you never switch your system off so there for he knows he can log onto your computer at any time and use your computer to do his dirty work.

now lets say you have not got a hacker on your system. and what your actually seeing is windows system telling you there is a program running and a user still logged on,,, that user could be the one that switch on the computer, and the program is one that is running in the back ground.

now what you have to do is close everything down and I mean everything, here is what you do... on the task bar right hand side put your mouse over a icon, right mouse click, a menu pops up click on what ever it says... quit,exit, close, do the same on every icon, then on the program task bar do the same closing all windows down.. then log off and shut down the computer. leave it off for a few minutes, then switch it on see what you get.... let me know

Answer 2

Do you have a firewall and virus protection on your computer?
Do you run a spyware program regularly?
I would run all those programs and if that comes out positive then check for the program it says is there and delete it from the control panel then add remove programs.

Answer 3

I'm not a technical expert either, but it seems to me that as soon as you turn your PC on, the operating system is running.

You do not mention what internet service provider you have but if it is cable, you are always "on." I say this because I have an icon on the right side, bottom, which says "local area connection." It is present at all times except when my PC is shutdown.

Answer 4

Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA (born eight January 1942) is a British theoretical physicist. Hawking is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics on the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He is understood for his contributions to the fields of cosmology and quantum gravity, primarily within the context of black holes, and his standard works wherein he discusses his possess theories and cosmology quite often.

Answer 5

You probably don't need it...try going to Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs and try finding it in the list, then remove it.

Answer 6

Looks like garbage to me. Some sort of Compaq / HP marketing.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&docname=bph05170&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN#bpb05170_G2
If it was on my computer I certainly wouldn't keep it.