Sudden massive data usage

[rick130]

Any tips on where to start looking ?

I've burned through over 20gig this week (over and above my plan)

I turned the modem off last night and I've used 2 gb this morning using the phone as a hot spot.
When I look in task manager i can't see anything unusual ?

This months bill is going to be exxy.....

[Chops]

That's a lot,,, sure someone's not using your connection ??

[John_D4]

X2

Change ur internet password & ensure it's a secure network.

[Bytemrk]

If you connect to your modem via wireless, as said, I'd change the password to rule out someone else using your connection. However what you said about tethering from your phone makes that unlikely to be the primary issue.

Next I'd be looking for something suspect on my computer.

For windows machines Dave has a useful thread here: Inc's Windows System Trojan / Virus and Cleanup Procedure (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/computers-and-it/206533-incs-windows-system-trojan-virus-cleanup-procedure.html)

For MAC try here: Inc's OSX System Clean Hints (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/computers-and-it/206539-incs-osx-system-clean-hints.html)


Let us know how you go...

[rick130]

Thanks fella's.

I suspected someone piggybacking my connection until this morning too.
Since then I've updated, run scans, etc, but that link to Dave's list is excellent, thanks Mark.
I've had HitmanPro before, (on Daves recommendation) it's excellent, but I'll run through the other things first.
Cheers.

[p38arover]

I run a program called "Who is on my WiFi" which monitors all connections. There is/was a home version. You may not find it on their website any more but try on CNet. Dunno about the reviews as it works flawlessly for me and has done for several years. I don't pay the monthly fee to which some reviewers refer. I'm running version 4 point something - it was updated last month.

The disadvantage of the free version is that one is limited to 25 devices. That sounds a lot but it's not by the time one adds the family phones, tablets, laptops, printers, and any other WiFi devices, etc.

[Chops]

Young Ron,, hello good sir, long time no see

[JDNSW]

How many devices in your home? Has there been a major software update downloaded to all of them?

[rick130]

How many devices in your home? Has there been a major software update downloaded to all of them?

Just the laptop and private phone John.

My work phone and tablet aren't connected to my personal stuff.

[AK83]

.....
When I look in task manager i can't see anything unusual ?

...

They hide themselves as some important looking system service.

Which OS?
If you have Win10 you can check how much data has been through your connection.
Settings-Network&Internet-Data Usage.

Sometimes the figure it shows can be misleading, as it's the entire data throughput, including data transferred within your network(ie. video streaming file sharing etc).
But if you view each individual program that uses data, you can make an educated guess as to what program is causing the problem.

Short story: Sister had a similar issue a while back. She just did the Win7 -> Win10 update .. noted to me that they'd used over 150Gig for the month according to their provider.
When all the kids get together at their house, they all use the wifi, she then assumed the kids were using it all up.
No way, over wifi, it'd have to be 24hrs non stop 30 days per month .. and even then 150G is a point too far.
Problem persisited for a few months, so I had a look. Same as Rick, nothing obvious in taskmanager(using Win10 now tho).

Adwcleaner found some file named like a system type file, tracked it back to a folder owned by a free online PDF viewer/converter that hubby used .. "a few months prior" [bigwhistle]

Easy way to fix it was to re-install the OS(Win10) mainly due to the update from Win7 to Win10 had slowed the PC down a lot.

.. but you don't have to be that drastic! .. scan PC with Adwcleaner.

[theresanothersteve]

I had a similar issue a while ago.

After some issues with Telstra's DNS I switched to using a third party DNS provider. It seems as if there is some issue with programs or applications updating with overseas DNS providers. Once I went back to Telstra DNS (they denied there was an issue but eventually admitted it had been fixed) data usage returned to its usual pattern.

Given Telstra seems to have made some system changes lately (I'm having trouble with email from my own domain going through their servers) there could be something funky they have done...