My question is this: Using Linux Mint 19.2, clicking on the network connection icon in the panel, and "edit connections" presents a window showing my last network connection as 8 minutes ago. Does this mean there was an actual internet connection 8 minutes ago or just that some program tried to access the internet 8 minutes ago but might not have connected? It has always been my understanding that it would be an actual connection.

The reason I ask is because this was a new install with wi-fi shut off in the BIOS before the install. I only use a wired ethernet connection and my router has no wi-fi capabilities. I also immediately run rfkill block all as soon as I log in on any new installation. The system should have no way to connect to the internet, yet it showed a connection 8 minutes ago at the time I noticed it. The only explanation I can think of at this time is that the BIOS does not really shutoff wi-fi and that it possibly connected to some nearby wi-fi network.The laptop in question is a Lenovo S310. Thanks for any ideas.

Screenshot proof please. I find it impossible for linux to just randomly connect some random wifi without being asked for it.

Network Manager manages all network connections by default including wired. Is the wired connection also disabled?

If your connected to the router via ethernet and its active you should see a connection to the internet.

Are you using the laptop currently to login to LQ and post your question?

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I would think it impossible to connect too. Most if not all systems today, I believe will auto connect to the internet when booted, if they have the means, in order to check updates, sync ntp, and maybe deliver browser info to whomever. This laptop, however, did not have the means to connect as far as I know.

I know little of wi-fi and have never used it (as far as I know). I connect to the internet by inserting an RJ-45 plug into the laptop. I try to only have it plugged in when I am actively using it. I do not use any software or hardware switches to access the ethernet. It was not plugged in during installation nor later. I was accessing the Network Manger graphically in order to change my dns server to dns watch, 84.200.69.80. That is when I noticed the last connection time as 8 minutes. That would be about the time I first logged into the system. I did not take a screenshot of the Network Manager window.
I had previously run rfkill list, then rfkill block all. After seeing the connection notice I checked rfkill list and it was unblocked again. I blocked it again and searched the logs to see if I could come up with a reason. It's hard for me to interpret this stuff. Not sure if this has any relevance:


Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.8774] get unmanaged devices count: 0
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.8776] manager: rfkill: WiFi disabled by radio killswitch; enabled by state file
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.8777] manager: rfkill: WWAN enabled by radio killswitch; enabled by state file
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.8777] manager: Networking is enabled by state file
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.8780] dhcp-init: Using DHCP client 'dhclient'
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR nm-dispatcher[849]: req:1 'hostname': new request (2 scripts)
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR nm-dispatcher[849]: req:1 'hostname': start running ordered scripts...
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.9145] Loaded device plugin: NMBondDeviceFactory (internal)
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.9146] Loaded device plugin: NMBridgeDeviceFactory (internal)
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.9147] Loaded device plugin: NMDummyDeviceFactory (internal)
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.9147] Loaded device plugin: NMEthernetDeviceFactory (internal)
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.9147] Loaded device plugin: NMInfinibandDeviceFactory (internal)
Jul 21 18:32:15 -Lenovo-ideapad-310-15ABR NetworkManager[718]: <info> [1595370735.9148] Loaded device plugin: NMIPTunnelDeviceFactory (internal)
lines 1247-1285

>michaelk Anytime I looked, the Network icon had a red X on it. I might have missed it momentarily though. No I am not using that system now to access Linux Questions.

Some background on this laptop:

I am running 2 os on 1 hard drive, LM 19.2 and MX 18.3
The laptop does not have a battery (main battery). About 6 months ago my battery started to swell. It cracked the bottom of the case, then eventually the top. It cracked the top plate below my touchpad. I hoped it would stabilize but it lifted the left side of my touchpad up and it stopped working. I took it apart and had to remove the motherboard to get to the battery. I did not install a new battery. A few glitches in the keyboard at times but otherwise all seems ok. I do have it plugged into AC power most of the time.

I have read that that the newer computers with Intel ME on the chip and it's own Minix OS has the capability to turn a pc on and connect to the internet remotely. I would say that's a real long shot though.

I remember having seen this peculiarity in a similar situation (new install, wifi not or not yet functional) and I believe it's the latter. The program being networkmanager itself. Maybe it succesfully connected to the wifi chip, but not to the internet itself.

Thanks! One of my early thoughts was that it may also be a reporting error. I think I will re-install and see what happens.