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Heavy unexplained broadband usage

ajax
Rising Star
Posts: 85
Thanks: 2
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-10-2007

Heavy unexplained broadband usage

I have today exceeded my monthly allowance due to an unexplained usage today of almost 4GB. This has been recorded  for a few hours in which I have made no downloads and  engaged in limited use of browser and email, so makes no sense to me at all. Moreover it is something I have never encountered before on this level. My network is secure, with sensible passwords. I note that my month's usage so far has been categorised as 69% broadband, 1% email, and 30% other. There is a long list of  categories for which my usage is 0%. What exactly does ‘other’ cover?  

8 REPLIES 8
jab1
Legend
Posts: 16,817
Thanks: 5,339
Fixes: 248
Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

Clutching at straws here, @ajax , but what OS are you running?

I would also recommend negotiating a new contract with PN when the current situation improves - if you are on a capped plan, you are potentially also paying over the odds.

 

John
Gel
Aspiring Champion
Posts: 2,332
Thanks: 299
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Registered: ‎02-08-2007

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

Has some of your s/ware been doing massive updates in background?
Someone watching videos on a smartphone in your house?
D/load a free wifi analyser app, to see who in your locale may be on same
channels as your router..then change to least used.
ajax
Rising Star
Posts: 85
Thanks: 2
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-10-2007

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

OS is Mac 10.15.3 (Catalina). Take your point about a new contract. Thanks

jab1
Legend
Posts: 16,817
Thanks: 5,339
Fixes: 248
Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

I know little about Macs - but is it possible it did an update recently?

John
Mook
Seasoned Champion
Posts: 1,266
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Registered: ‎27-12-2019

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

@ajax For what it's worth, Catalina is now v10.15.4 which was about 2.5GB+ in size so this might explain some of the traffic.

ajax
Rising Star
Posts: 85
Thanks: 2
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-10-2007

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

Has some of your s/ware been doing massive updates in background?  No

Someone watching videos on a smartphone in your house?  No

D/load a free wifi analyser app, to see who in your locale may be on same channels as your router..then change to least used.

Will do. Thank you.

Mook
Seasoned Champion
Posts: 1,266
Thanks: 870
Fixes: 9
Registered: ‎27-12-2019

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

Sorry @Gel What has being on the same channel got to do with usage, Nothing! This would only be an issue if they were leaching your broadband, and if this were the case you'd have reached your allowance a lot sooner.

ajax
Rising Star
Posts: 85
Thanks: 2
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-10-2007

Re: Heavy unexplained broadband usage

Good point, but no – my desktop and laptop are still on 10.15.3 and are not set to download updates automatically.