Hi,

is there any way to disconnect from the Internet like it's possible in NT-based operating systems?
Or do you know a freeware which can perform this task?
I only found two commercial programs:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lock...-Security.shtml
http://www.armor2net.com/products/netlock.htm

You don't need any 3rd party software to disconnect from the internet in Win98 SE [or any other 9x (95/98/ME) OS for that matter].
Here are 3 simple ways you can do this:

1. Install a free(ware) firewall [if you haven't already] and use it to block all [both incoming + outgoing] traffic:
http://www.mdgx.com/fw.htm#FWL
Example:
If using Kerio 2.1.5 -> right-click its taskbar icon -> left-click "Stop All Traffic".
Kerio 2.1.5 [2.06 MB, English]:
http://www.gwdg.de/samba/windows/persfw/ke....1.5-en-win.exe
No need for reboot.

2. This is for cable modems only.
Example:
Right-click "My Computer" desktop icon -> Properties -> Device Manager -> expand [double-click] Network adapters -> hightlight your Ethernet adapter name connected to your cable modem -> double-click it -> check the "Disable in this hardware profile" box -> click OK -> reboot/restart Windows when prompted.
Needs reboot.
xDSL modem owners can do this in a similar way.
Please keep in mind that xDSL modems use a WAN [Wide Area Network] adapter.

3. This is for cable modems only.
Just move to any other location the Ethernet adapter driver file, found in most cases in %windir%\SYSTEM [%windir% = usually C:\WINDOWS].
Example:
I'm using a Siemens SpeedStream USB 10/100 Ethernet Adapter, which uses 1001.SYS as its driver.
You can write a DOS style batch file to move the driver file away [or back] with a single mouse click.
Using Notepad, create a new text file, and call it InternetOFF.BAT (example):InternetOFF.BAT also reboots after moving away the driver.
To restore the driver, create another batch file called InternetON.BAT (example):Needs reboot.
xDSL modem owners can do this in a similar way.

HTH [Hope This Helps]

I believe another way to do it would be to use winipcfg.exe. You could open it up from the run box by typing winipcfg and clicking run. You could even create a shortcut to it on your desktop or put it in the startup group and it would be in the running programs on the taskbar. To disconnect, click open the drop down box and choose the modem on the NIC and click on "release". To disconnect all, choose "release all".
To reconnect, choose "renew" or "renew all". When you reboot your NIC will be redetected.

Or you could just turn off the on/off button on the modem itself!

Disconnect from the internet? I use DSL and I need to login to have ACCESS to the internet! I know people using cable etc. have a different setup...so well, just disconnect the cable from the modem? lol. Or don't use internet sharing if you are in a network.

Thanks, ldb!

Your method works like a charm. There's also no need for an annoying reboot. Two thumbs up!