Overactive broadband

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My broadband use this month has been excessive - around 800 Mb per day. I've not used it any more than usual, but this is way above what I normally use, and I'm on course for using twice my monthly allowance or more.

I've spoken to my server, Plusnet, and they cannot think of any reason, other than possibly some downloads, but I've not seen evidence of any. And they say it's extremely unlikely that anyone is poaching my Wifi.

David
 

Raz0rEdge

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Computers (OS and apps) these days assume that you have an always available broadband connection with unlimited bandwidth. As such, little is done to limit downloading of various things. For example, if you enable automatic download of app updates, while they may not install, it will still be downloaded when available. XCode (as an example) is a 1.95GB update and will easily blow through your allowance quickly overnight.

Your ISP is correct in that they cannot identify the culprit (and technically you DON'T want them to be able to do it anyway). So, first, check any auto updates you may have enabled. With metered connections, you need to monitor what's happening and the only app I know of is "Surplus Meter", a pretty simple application that monitors the amount of network traffic and the app doing the traffic. With that, you should be able to isolate the culprit.
 

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I'll throw this idea out there too. If your computer (for example)...is always on...and your top-most active webpage on your computer has content or advertisments that reload or refresh...this could slowly add up over time. This is usually not an issue with most unlimited broadband plans...but could impact things.

Two other ideas:

- Have you had any visitors to your home over the last month that might have been using your network while they were there?
- Do you have neighbors close by that coud possibly be "leeching" your internet?

Things to consider,:)

- Nick
 
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Thanks for your replies.

As I said, I’m not aware of anything being downloaded - how do I tell?

And how do I stop automatic downloading?

I do keep getting notification telling me updates are available. These are for Safari 12.0, iMovie 10.1.9. Numbers 5.2 and AdBlock 1.10.0.

I’ve tried downloading Safari, but it tells me its extensions are using Spotlight; but when I quit Safari I get the same message. Likewise AdBlock’s extensions are used by Safari, and the same thing happens.

I’ll try Surplus Meter.

No visitors for some time, and I doubt anyone is using my WiFi. Presumably it is password protected.

David
 

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Check on the Automatic download in System Preferences->App Store and you'll see options there Automatically check for updates and Automatically download apps, uncheck both of them if either is checked. The ONLY thing you can be sure about as far as downloads go is what you actively download in a browser. Anything else is hard for you to know. An app like Surplus Meter will tell what app is using network bandwidth and you can then try to narrow it down from there.
 

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...I doubt anyone is using my WiFi. Presumably it is password protected.

Yes...but how "strong" of a password is it? If it's an easy password to break such as these commonly used (and terrible to use passwords):

- 123456
- password
- admin
- login
- abc123
- hello

Then a wifi network can be vulnerable.

I'm not saying this is the issue. But if you can't explain things in any other way...and you live close enough to your neighbors that they could leech your wifi...then it's possible. Don't assume that because your wifi is password protected...that-that password is a "strong" one.

Just something to consider just in case.:)

- Nick
 
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And be aware some software just loves to 'report back to base' on a regular basis.
 
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And be aware some software just loves to 'report back to base' on a regular basis.


Just curious and a query, wouldn't such "report back" reports be pretty small or is that just a naive assumption???

But sure something to be aware of I'd say.





- Patrick
======
 
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Ashwin - I’ve unchecked both options in System Prefs>Apps.

Nick - my WiFi password is as on the router and looks very safe.

Thanks. I’ll see how it goes.

David
 
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Ashwin - I’ve unchecked both options in System Prefs>Apps.

Nick - my WiFi password is as on the router and looks very safe.

Thanks. I’ll see how it goes.

David
If you mean your password is written "on" the router, from your provider, you should change it to something you have created. Find the documentation online for your router model and learn how to change it.
 
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Hi Fielker. What devices are you, or anyone else in the house, using at home - phone, tablet, TV, Mac? Is your broadband always connected on each/all of them (like me)? It all adds up.

I've been on an unlimited broadband package for so long I can't remember having to watch usage and wonder if your package is still good value for money. It may be worthwhile using USwitch to see if there is a better deal for your needs. I swopped from TalkTalk after two decades because their tariff became so much more than others. Unlimited fibre broadband, with line rental, costs me £21 a month. I don't use my home phone any longer though hold onto a handset for emergencies.
 
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Thanks Sue. Only other device is my iPad, which I now don’t use and its WiFi is switched off because that WAS using up broadband space.

Plusnet is a Which? best buy and is very good, especially with technical support. I pay £8.99 a month for 10 GB which has mostly been enough, and I can have an extra 5 GB if not, for another £5.

Since I unchecked the automatic download options this morning my usage seems to have been reasonable today so far.

David
 
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Whenever i buy a new smartphone or laptop its litrallly the first thing i do, turn of the auto updates. Here in SA we have ridiculios data rates, I hate that they assume we are all online and can all spend a few gigs every few days for updates. This used to work well for me at first, but they start to make updates mandatory to continue using the app or os. Also clear out any bloatware on new devices, they suck the soul out of your cpu and as siad above some report back, update and just waste your data. Rant over
 
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I'm having trouble again, as since the start of my month (on the 12th) I've been using around 800 Mb a day.

Now I cannot find how to get to System Preferences>App Store.

I've downloaded SurplusMeter but when I try to open it it says it can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer!

Help!

David
 
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Oops - just found App Store and both items are still unchecked.
 
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And by the way, on my router the Internet light seems to be flickering most of the time, and so does the WiFi light but slightly less often.
 

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I've downloaded SurplusMeter but when I try to open it it says it can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer!

Help!

David
Give these directions a try.

BTW for those who may be interested: The fact that an app is form an unidentified developer does not mean something nefarious is going on. There are a number of well-respected, long-time, Mac developers that have software flagged as being from an unidentifed developer.
 
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Right click the SurplusMeter and open that way. What you are confronting is Apple's security measure Gatekeeper.
 
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I'm having trouble again, as since the start of my month (on the 12th) I've been using around 800 Mb a day.

Now I cannot find how to get to System Preferences>App Store.

I've downloaded SurplusMeter but when I try to open it it says it can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer!

Help!

David
\\Glad you found the issue though I have yet to come across any of those tools that are truly accurate and reflective of whats going on. A little unrelated but worth mentioning I switched internet service providers recently with the same speed line...I get much better bandwidth with a much lower usage for some reason... maybe somebody could shed light on that.
 

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Thank goodness the majority of internet providers here in the US offer unlimited data at a reasonable price. We still have somewhat of a problem with rural residents here in the US in that the service they receive may be more expensive and slower than that of major urban areas.
 

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