A computer and method that control access to a network. The computer includes an application that shrinks the window of opportunity for a network attack and reduces power consumption by automatically causing a computer to connect to the network when access is needed and to disconnect the computer from the network when access is not needed. The computer is automatically disconnected when it is deemed that network access is no longer needed, such as after a time period of no network activity. In turn, when the user, or the system, needs access to the network, the computer is automatically reconnected to the network. A software daemon on the computer may temporarily reconnect the computer to the network to access a server on the network to determine if attempts have been made to access the computer.