[dba-Tech] How to watch what the computer is sending out

Hi All,

I really don't like automatic updates, for a number of reasons, my own 
paranoia being one.  But, also, when the computer takes off to go see if 
there's a new version of Java, or Windows, or a new driver for the 
mouse, or whatever, it often causes other running processes to delay - 
like recognizing my typing keystrokes, for instance - which is very 
frustrating.  So, for the most part, I turn them off and choose my own 
time to go look for updates.

Not all my automatic stuff is off, though - heck, you have to have some 
level of automatic update on in order to access Windows Update when you 
want to - so I have it set to notify me but not download.  Other stuff 
is still making automatic trips out and about the Internet, and I don't 
know who or what it is.  How do I look to see which of my programs and 
devices is calling home?

Thanks for teaching me.
Tina