Detecting internet/modem status?

Hello all

Does anyone how to detect whether an internet connection is sending and receving data??

eg. If i am downloading something using IE or other download managers, how do i know the internet connection/modem is busy sending and receiving data using VB?

I know how to detect it, if the connection was initiated by me thru winsock or other methods, but what if the connection was started by independent programs?

Thanks