Is farmville to blame for eating all my internet bandwidth?

Johnmcl7

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I think we might be getting in contact with plus net as it doesn't make sense. They can certainly see from our history what our usual monthly allowance is. I like the idea of switching off the modem. I'm reluctant to be asking my neighbours if they have had any problems with their internet as that would give the game away if they have been tapping in. Our wireless is secure (or I thought it was) but I suspect it isn't impossible to do if you have the know how.

It's not foolproof but it's worth checking the DHCP client list on the router and make sure you recognise all the devices. It can be a bit fiddly now given consoles, phones and computers can all use routers many of which won't show a name but if you can check the mac address online to give you an idea who manufactured the device which can help.

The other simpler option is just to make sure all networked devices are powered off and watch the wireless activity light or similar on the router, if it's still flashing away showing activity when you're not using it then clearly someone else is.

John

Flat_Eric

update....

finally got in touch with our broadband provider today and they are now investigating the unexplained/high downloads.

not that it means anything to me but they have told me:
that usage shows 4.69GB (but raw data 216mb) usage shows 20.89GB (raw data 590mb)

Johnmcl7

Did you get anywhere measuring the data on your PC?

I have had trouble with my broadband provider miscalculating my usage but it was very specific and relatively one off occasions, last year they claimed I downloaded 65GB in one hour and this year I managed to surpass that with an impressive 166GB in a single hour on a 3.8Mb/s connection. That was a lot more specific though than it sounds like it has been for you.

John