Suspicious incoming network connection blocked. Internet connection interruptions.

[LondonABC]

.
My internet connection BT Wi-Fi or / and login into BT Wi-Fi is many times interrupted each a few seconds or minutes.

My antivirus McAfee has many hundreds of records of this issue in the Security History of this text:

"...Suspicious incoming network connection blocked. The PC 169.254.119.197 tried to access your system port UDP port 1900 (or 5355). (Or other IP addresses...sometimes the IP is the same and sometimes is different.) If you want to allow this traffic, either trust the IP address or open the port in the System Services in Firewall................."


I do not know what such traffic is. I do not want any PC to have any access into my system of my PC. I just want to have my own access to any webpage on internet. This interruption is happening on any webpage where I am on. Including Youtube, bbc, Google or on any other secure webpages.

The interruptions I mean this: The Windows software (not antivirus) is popping up messages saying: " ...You do not have any internet connection!..." Or: "...You have to log in your Hotspot!..." So, I must make the internet connection or log in, again, and in a few seconds or minutes, the internet connection is interrupted again, so I have to repeated it again. And again and again......

I pay The monthly BT Wi-Fi hotspot £15 on a 12 month contract. But this one is a public hotspot with a captive portal, I suppose. Or not? ...So... might be broken? Or someone's software is sending me some rubbish to disable my internet connection? Or..how can I check my laptop to find out whether I have some dangerous rubbish software inside? But my antivirus is saying everything is OK. Or is the rubbish coming from outside?


I want my internet connection is not interrupted any more. My connection is many times interrupted each a few seconds or minutes. This one is killing me. To refresh my internet connection all the time, so many times.
But I want any suspicious incoming network connections are blocked. But without the interruptions of my internet connection.


Please, what should I do to stop these interruptions?

Here are screenshots of the details of what mcafee was saying in its list of the Security History:

imgur.com

Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more from users.

imgur.com

I have: Windows 11 Home, Version 22H2, BT Wi-Fi internet connection, I pay hotspot of BT monthly, I have antivirus McAfee but it was the same problem when I had antivirus Avast. In a few days I am going to use Bitdefender or ESET or Avast, again.

Many thanks for any help

 

[LondonABC]

Just use Windows Defender, most 3rd party firewall programs aren't any better.

The hotspot you sign into won't allow connections from the internet to your PC, so unless you're running some dodgy software or you're installing things you don't know about, there really is very little to worry about.

My Windows Defender Firewall is on. So I am not worry. But the problem is my internet connection is so so many times interrupted each a few seconds or minutes. This one is killing me. To refresh my internet connection all the time, so many times.
Yes, I want any suspicious incoming network connections are blocked. But without the interruptions of my internet connection.

 

[LondonABC]

Seeing as its a 169 IP it is most likely something on your PC itself. Might be worth checking your router for any devices trying to grab an IP though incase it is something trying to join the network and being rejected.

Hmmmm, this is very strange: The interruptions were happening when I had my very old laptop. But now, I have quite new laptop but the interruptions are the same.
How can I check my laptop to find out whether I have some dangerous rubbish software inside? My antivirus is saying everything is OK. Or is the rubbish coming from outside?

P.S. When I was using the EE WI-FI internet connection, no problem was. The problem started since I started to use BT Wi-FI Hotspot internet connection. I still had the same laptop at that time when I changed the internet provider (from EE to BT Hotspot).

 

[LondonABC]

What do you mean by "interruptions"? Do you mean something like McAfee is popping up messages saying it's blocked inbound connections every time something local to you tries to see if you're a UPnP provider? If so then this is just some crap 3rd party security software trying to justify its existence.

The interruptions I mean this: The Windows software (not antivirus) is popping up messages saying: " ...You do not have any internet connection!..." Or: "...You have to log in your Hotspot!..." So, I must make the internet connection or log in, again, and in a few seconds or minutes, the internet connection is interrupted again, so I have to repeated it again. And again and again......

 

[LondonABC]

If you're connected to a public hotspot with a captive portal then that hotspot might be broken. You should consider getting your own internet connection.

A monthly BT Wi-Fi hotspot is £15 on a 12 month contract, if you're covered by Community Fibre then you can get a connection for less than that https://communityfibre.co.uk/10-mbps

Yes, I pay The monthly BT Wi-Fi hotspot £15 on a 12 month contract. But this one is a public hotspot with a captive portal, I suppose. Or not? ...So... might be broken?

 

[LondonABC]

Disable ALL AV/Firewalls/Malware software apart from Windows Defender, then try again. Does the issue persist?

Please, where can I switch off McAfee for a while to try your idea? I cannot find it. I have Windows 11 Home, Version 22H2, (But the same problem was when I had an old laptop with AVAST antivirus with Windows 10.)

 

[LondonABC]

Tbh mcafee is awful. Either stick with Windows own AV software or go with something like Bitdefender or ESET.

But this one was also happening when I used to have antivirus AVAST, too. With a different laptop, even. Now I have a quite new laptop and a different antivirus (mcafee) and the problem is the same.

 

[LondonABC]

Are you ever going to do as suggested? Or just keep explaining that you get the same issue with two different AV programs?

.
Yes, I am doing my best to find where I could switch off the mcafee but I still cannot find it.

But in a few days, mcafee will switch off by itself because I am using a trial mcafee which already was in the laptop when I bought the laptop. Then I will try to stick with Windows own AV software and then I will try to get a free version of Bitdefender or ESET if the Windows own AV software will not stop the interruptions. (The free AVAST version includes the function of the internet connection protection.)

P.S.: How can I upload here from my harddisk screenshots of the details of what mcafee is saying in its list of the Security History? (I have hundreds of such reports there.)

 

[LondonABC]

FYI even though your trial will run out, it doesn't stop it from working. You need to manually uninstall it as suggested already by people trying to fix your issue.

OK, I will uninstall mcafee in the next days. First of all, I will try to find a free version of Bitdefender or ESET to replace it if the Windows own AV software will not stop the interruptions. By the way, why people use an extra antiavirus software when each Windows has own AV software?

P.S.: How can I upload here from my harddisk screenshots of the details of what mcafee is saying in its list of the Security History? (I have hundreds of such reports there.) The insert image icon is only for uploading from http (only from Internet?). Not from harddisks?

 

[LondonABC]

So, I uninstalled mcafee. Now I do not have installed any extra AV software. Now, I do have only Windows own AV software. Unfortunately, no change. No progress. All the problem is the same. All the time there is the interruption of the internet connection from the public BT Wi-Fi hotspot, again, again, again. So, I am going to install Bitdefender or ESET.

Oh, there is one difference now since I do have only Windows own AV software installed: All the time is opening, automatically, by itself, black window of this address: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.

I've checked Bitdefender and ESET. Unfortunately, they are not for free. (Unlike AVAST.) They only offer a free trial. Will they work after the trial will expire? Like mcafee?

P.S. Why you do not have on your this website automatic antivirus software so that every uploaded item from harddisks is automatically checked so that people can upload their items here from their harddisks? On some other forums people can upload their items from their harddisks. So that you can know the details I would like to upload here from my harddisk screenshots of the details of what mcafee was saying in its list of the Security History. (I have hundreds of such reports there.)

 

[LondonABC]

Why? Windows AV is free, and is decent enough. There is literally zero point in installing anything else.

Now that you've removed bloatware you've pretty much proved it's an issue with the hotspot. Does it do the same when tethering to a mobile?

But I guess you'll ignore everything and keep installing unnecessary AV software anyway.

Oh, no. I am going to do exactly what people here are telling me: to try Bitdefender or ESET. Because the Windows own AV software does not stop it. So, I have to try something else. Yes, I am pessimist about there would be a difference. You are right. But there is the question about what to do to stop the incoming dangerous software that is trying to get into the system of my computer without the all the time interruptions of the internet connection....

 

[LondonABC]

If you still can't stay connected to a captive portal after removing 3rd party security software, why do you think installing a different 3rd party security software is going to fix it? You've ruled McAfee out as a cause of this problem, now you can move on to looking elsewhere for it.

Do you have a device other than your laptop? Does this also get kicked off the BT Wi-Fi hotspot (turn your cellular connection off to check)?

My preference (still) would be to get an actual internet connection rather than using a paid hotspot.

.
I do not think installing a different 3rd party security software is going to fix it. I just am hoping and trying. Do you have a better idea? Better trying whatever than not to do anything.

You said: "...now you can move on to looking elsewhere for it..." What elsewhere do you mean? You are very welcome to advise me.

I use only one device for this hotspot: my laptop.

It's about money. Unsecured BT public hotspot is the cheapest: £15 per month. I do not have more money for more expensive internet connection.

 

[LondonABC]

It was in the post you quoted. Do you have a smartphone? What happens if you connect this to the BT hotspot?

I said: I use only one device for this hotspot: my laptop. (No mobile to use for this hotspot or whatever.)

 

[LondonABC]

1) Is there anything stopping you trying to connect your mobile phone to the hotspot, as a test or do you physically not have a mobile phone? If you don't get interruptions from the mobile phone then that would be useful info in troubleshooting your problem.
2) You mentioned other forums where people can upload images. The procedure here is the same as elsewhere. Upload your photo to somewhere on the internet and then paste the link here. http://imgur.com is the easiest option.
3) It seems you are either misinterpreting some of the suggestions or help offered here. Is it fair to say English is not your 1st language? In which case just say so and people will use simpler terminology etc to help you.
4) Does this £15 a month connection come with any sort of support (phone number or email) from BT?

The main issue is your (in my opinion) very vague descriptions of the "interruptions". If you can upload photo of the errors you get people could help better, I suspect. It could just be popups from google chrome or some other application, as opposed to from Windows (the OS).


rp2000

.
1) Yes, do NOT physically have any mobile phone. I hate phones. It took my privacy. Now, without any phones I am VERY happy.

2) Maybe later. It would take me the time to register, make a new email address, and so on. In many websites they discriminate emails from gmx, even, to register on their websites or they have crazy software which discriminates my current emails.

3} Tell me the specific examples where you think it could be the misinterpreting of some suggestions or help offered here, please.

4) No support. But, anyway, I sent to BT email, a question about my problem, and they replied this is unsecured public hotspot. So, this is my own choice whether I want to use it or not.

 

[LondonABC]

Are you saying you only have one device with Wi-Fi, and it's your laptop?

You can get Three 5G broadband for £15/month if you are covered (£10 for six months, £20 for six months, average £15) or the Community Fibre essentials package for £12.50, though availability depends on location. Both options would be preferable to hotspot with a captive portal.

.
Yes, I only have one device with Wi-Fi, and it's my laptop.

Broadband means to have a cable into my flat? My landlord would not allow this. They are very unfriendly. And the internet companies surely would want some paperworks which I cannot provide them because my landlord is an idi*t.

 

[LondonABC]

2) imgur is totally free and no email registration required!
3) a screenshot will help

Generic advice would be to reinstall the TCP/IP or the network adaptor, or update drivers or reset winsock and then see if it makes a difference.


rp2000

.
2) I will try it in the next days

3) Yes, the screenshots maybe will help.

I do not know how to reinstall the TCP/IP or the network adaptor. I do not know what this means, even.
All my drivers are updated. All updates are done automatically when I update Windows. Or do you mean any specific updating. If yes, please, tell me where it is in Windows 11, step by step: ...>...>...>....>
I do not know how to reset winsock. I do not know what this means, even.

 

[LondonABC]

.

Here are screenshots of the details of what mcafee was saying in its list of the Security History:

imgur.com

Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more from users.

imgur.com

There is one difference now since I do have only Windows own AV software installed: All the time is opening, automatically, by itself, black window of this address: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd. You can see a screenshot of this black window on the same link, it is the last screenshot there: https://imgur.com/a/P2jeV7g


P.S.: It is not working to use the insert image icon here. It is saying: "Image cannot be loaded from the passed link."

Do your internet drop-out happen regularly eg. Every 20 minutes? The owner/provider of the hotspot may have set it to boot patrons off if they’re on too long.

.
It happens irregularly.

We can see the firewall is not strong much enough when is not able to stop the incoming rubbish without the interruptions of the connection.

So, this is an inspiration for antivirus software developers to make a proper antivirus software.


.

 

[LondonABC]

Are you connected to the hotspot for more than 166 hours per month?

BT WiFi has a fair usage policy.

Consumer Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

We believe in the power of communications to make a better world. That means we want our services to help customers freely express themselves and share information.

www.btwifi.co.uk

.
I have UNLIMITED contract. With NO limit of minutes or whatever.

 

[LondonABC]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned, a lot of these BT WiFi hotspots will actually be broadcasted from a BT router. For years BT hubs broadcast a second wireless network for public hotspot use, meaning you're also at the risk of whatever the owner of that hub could be doing. For example, if the owner is saturating the connection then you who's on lower priority may get interruptions.

As for the weird incoming connections... have you done a scan with something like Malwarebytes?

If privacy matters to you then I wouldn't even be using BT's public WiFi network. Since you're in London, if full fibre isn't an option then how about 4G/5G broadband? And don't forget Windows itself now tracks as much as Android/iOS these days.

.
You said:"One thing I haven't seen mentioned, a lot of these BT WiFi hotspots will actually be broadcasted from a BT router. For years BT hubs broadcast a second wireless network for public hotspot use, meaning you're also at the risk of whatever the owner of that hub could be doing. For example, if the owner is saturating the connection then you who's on lower priority may get interruptions."

Yes, I know about this. But, each a few seconds or minutes of the interruption is an extreme. This does not sound normal.

You said: "As for the weird incoming connections... have you done a scan with something like Malwarebytes?"

Yes, my antivirus has been doing a scan about Malwarebytes or whatever.

You said: "If privacy matters to you then I wouldn't even be using BT's public WiFi network. Since you're in London, if full fibre isn't an option then how about 4G/5G broadband? And don't forget Windows itself now tracks as much as Android/iOS these days."

Yes, I know about this. But I already said, this means to have a cable into my flat and the paperworks. My landlord will not allow this because they are idi*ots.

 

[LondonABC]

Hi, there is no such thing (sadly). As stated above, BT have a fair usage policy and they don’t own all the hotspots so it’s quite possible you’re getting kicked off for some reason completely unconnected with your PC.

.
Yes, you are right. Perhaps to have some proper antivirus / firewall that would prevent the rubbish trying coming into the system of my PC without the internet interruptions?