Internet Processes Monitor

If you've ever wondered what's really happening with your internet connections, there's a free Windows tool called Internet Processes Monitor (IPM) that lets you see behind the curtain. Created by Steve Chaison, this portable utility runs on Windows 10 and doesn’t require installation just download and run. While it’s completely free, the developer welcomes donations if you find it useful.

IPM keeps a real time watch on both TCP and UDP connections being made by your computer. Every time you browse a website, send an email, or stream something, your PC establishes connections and IPM shows you exactly which apps or processes are making them, including details like remote IP addresses and the executable files involved. This is super handy for spotting suspicious activity, like if an unknown program suddenly starts sending data.

One of the coolest things about IPM is that it doesn’t just show live connections it also lets you log everything to a CSV file. You have to manually turn logging on each time you use the app, but once you do, it records timestamps, local and remote IPs, process IDs, and even the commands that launched each connection. This is gold for troubleshooting slow networks or investigating security issues.

While everyday users might not need this level of detail, IPM is a must have for IT admins, network specialists, or anyone serious about cybersecurity. It’s lightweight, totally portable, and although you need to run it as administrator, it’s very straightforward. If you’re looking for alternatives, tools like Kaspersky Internet Security or Comodo Internet Security offer broader protection, but for pure connection monitoring, IPM is hard to beat.

In short, Internet Processes Monitor gives you a clear window into your PC’s network activity helping you detect threats, diagnose problems, and keep your connections secure.