How do you disable the Modem, please.

Happy_saver_4 · 23 August 2006 at 9:49PM

Further to my thread
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=249605

My DD has confirmed that somebody is using her home computer to connect to the web. She does not connect herself and therefore her computer has no firewall or anti- virus etc installed.

She feels her best security is to disable the Modem. Please tell me how to carry this out.

Please also advise how she can re-enable the Modem if she later wishes to join us surfers.

Advice appreciated - thanks

Fraserca · 23 August 2006 at 10:50PM

Simplest way would be to take away the cable that connects to the phone socket.

A more permanent way would be to open up the computer ( probably only a couple of screws ) . Take out the screw holding in the modem card and pulling it out.

The computer should fire up normally after that but can't connect to the net any more.

Zahc · 23 August 2006 at 10:54PM

Not knowing the circumstances, although reading between the lines they seem 'complicated', and assuming she can't just boot out whoever is using her PC without concent;

She should set up a user account and password protect.
Download Zonealarm (free), password protect it and 'lock' internet access.

OR

If the modem is a 'card' type, as opposed to on board, just remove it.

OR

Move the computer away from all telephone points.

Thinking about it, you can probably disable on board modems from BIOS, which can also be password protected.
There are probably loads more ways of going about it, but these are just my thoughts.

albertross_2 · 23 August 2006 at 11:07PM

start run devmgmt.msc then find the modem, right click and disable..

Easiest way is to set a bios password on the PC, that will stop anybody using it at all.

Fraserca · 23 August 2006 at 11:33PM

Instructions for setting the bios password please albert.

albertross_2 · 24 August 2006 at 12:09AM

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=setting+bios+password&meta=

Happy_saver_4 · 24 August 2006 at 8:51AM

albertross wrote:

start run devmgmt.msc then find the modem, right click and disable..

Easiest way is to set a bios password on the PC, that will stop anybody using it at all.

If she disables via devmgmt.msc can it be 'clicked' to re-enable it at a later date.

The prob is that other people in the house are allowed to use the computer for homework etc. Therefore she just wants to make sure that nobody can connect to the web. Preferably without telling the web browsing person they've been caught and having a big scene. Discreetly removing access to the web is required.

If she disables the modem she can say " Oh it must be broken; never mind, we don't need it."

Some have suggested modem removal. She doesn't feel able to start physically taking bits out of the computer. If she removes the modem lead or moves the computer perhaps somebody may just buy a new lead or a longer one.

Thanks for your help