download limits

Rik · Sep 22, 2010, 16:32:20

Quote from: Baz on Sep 22, 2010, 16:28:42
just a quick question on this Rik, I thought uploads don't count to usage

They don't, Baz, but most viruses will show in the upstream usage, not the downstream.

sof2er · Sep 22, 2010, 16:33:40

Quote from: Baz on Sep 22, 2010, 16:28:42
just a quick question on this Rik, I thought uploads don't count to usage

I'm quite sure they don't as I've been uploading about 40-60 GB a month (streaming games and such in HD) and I've never ever had any charges related to that.

Bill · Sep 22, 2010, 16:46:24

Don't even know if this is possible, but could someone have hacked into the router from the WAN side, so that they're effectively by-passing the password?

Even if it isn't, doing a reset to manufacturer's defaults shouldn't do any harm... but note your username and password first!

Moley · Sep 22, 2010, 16:52:14

I've looked at the router a few times to see if it logs who's using the bandwidth, but can't find anything. I've just checked the WOW download also, and its only done 1.7 of the 4.5 download - so that doesn't account for the spike yesterday - I don't have it background downloading whilst playing as it causes lag issues - I let it run overnight after exiting the game - so it shouldn't be showing up in the afternoon anyway!

Glenn · Sep 22, 2010, 16:59:22

Would http://www.pmasoft.net/englisch/onlineeye_prof.htm be of any help, the demo is free for 31 days?

Bill · Sep 22, 2010, 17:16:54

Another possibility, if the router supports SNMP, is PRTG's Network Monitor.

http://www.paessler.com/prtg/

I used it some years ago on a Windows machine and it wasn't bad, the free version did everything I needed.

Rik · Sep 22, 2010, 17:18:56

Hi Chris

On the 21st, you had 5MB of overnight traffic, but during the day you had bursts of quite heavy downloading, eg 934M, 539M, 800M, 800M, 167M, 232M, 378M, 210M during various hours from morning till midnight.

Do you use a download manager for WoW, if so it might be worth double checking the settings.

Gary · Sep 22, 2010, 18:01:00

Maybe use your router to block the ports WoW uses just for a day, and see what happens to your download usage?

Rik · Sep 22, 2010, 18:04:38

Do you know the ports offhand, Gary?

Gary · Sep 22, 2010, 18:07:43

Quote from: Rik on Sep 22, 2010, 18:04:38
Do you know the ports offhand, Gary?

Ports 6112, 3724, and 6881 through 6999 should be open for the downloader, Rik.

Rik · Sep 22, 2010, 18:09:57

Thanks, Gary.

Gary · Sep 22, 2010, 18:14:26

The other thing was, I was wondering what kind or WPA key is being used, is it randomised (well as best as) using ASCII ? If its short ones that are word based a dictionary attack via wardriving could be a way in, there are enough tools out there to use

Must admit though it would be odd for someone to bother to do all that for the amount being used.

Rik · Sep 22, 2010, 18:21:24

It seems the least likely cause, doesn't it, particularly as it's changed weekly.

Gary · Sep 22, 2010, 18:23:47

Quote from: Rik on Sep 22, 2010, 18:21:24
It seems the least likely cause, doesn't it, particularly as it's changed weekly.

It does, Rik. If those ports are blocked the downloader will find another way round but will be much slower, it would be a good way to see if it slows things down.

sof2er · Sep 22, 2010, 18:39:49

Another option would be to limit the amount of DHCP addresses if possible so that it's only enough for the amount of computers in your household. It is possible to allow certain MAC's to be only connected to your router, they could probably be faked as well..

I hardly doubt this is a case of anyone using your internet.

The way how I monitor my daily download is to go to my local area connection.

It indicates I've uploaded ~29 MB and downloaded ~140 MB, however it also tracks network activity and it resets whenever you re-plug your ethernet cable, restart PC so incase you need to restart take notes on DL. I don't restart my PC until I go to bed or have any network activity sending files between each other so this is a pretty good way of tracking your usage every day (and they're 99.9% accurate with the IDNet control panel). For multiple PC's just track on every one for the day and add them up, that should be pretty accurate of your total usage that day. If somehow your usage is mysteriously way more than that then it's most likely a case of someone else using your internet.

pctech · Sep 22, 2010, 21:06:49

This thread is a good example of why there should be a cap on the amount of bandwidth.

Bill · Sep 22, 2010, 21:11:24

Quote from: pctech on Sep 22, 2010, 21:06:49
This thread is a good example of why there should be a cap on the amount of bandwidth.

It's not that long...

Gary · Sep 22, 2010, 21:14:18

Quote from: pctech on Sep 22, 2010, 21:06:49
This thread is a good example of why there should be a cap on the amount of bandwidth.

Not really from my point of view, just watch your bandwidth usage at the end of the day its up to the person whose PC/Router/internet connection it is to keep it secure and watch what they download as I see it as in this post then work out what's going on, and since its a £1 GB after you go over its not really breaking the bank, I would rather go at full speed and pay a few quid extra than be throttled to lower speeds.

Gary · Sep 22, 2010, 21:14:35

Quote from: Bill on Sep 22, 2010, 21:11:24
It's not that long...

Moley · Sep 23, 2010, 12:20:46

I've installed the network monitory thingy as suggested - will let you know what it shows up

Rik · Sep 23, 2010, 15:08:22

Keep us posted, Chris.

Technical Ben · Sep 24, 2010, 09:51:08

If there is anyone else in the house, I'd suggest passwording the PC. Just in case they are using youtube ect when your not looking. Especially if it's HD content or Iplayer (200mb to 800mb) made me think of Iplayer right away. Looked like someone was watching TV all day at your expense.

[Edit]
PS. I'd suggest using OpenDNS and blocking access to any unsavoury sites. You could even use open DNS to block youtube and bittorrent and Iplayer. That way you can rule out/prevent anyone else in the house downloading\watching too many movies.

Baz · Sep 26, 2010, 08:49:13

another question on this.I started this thread as I got an early warning email about going over my limit,had them before so didnt worry but its getting close now and started thinking about it and getting confused about the limits.

Do you get charged extra if you go over your limits as 2 separate limits or a total of both if that makes sense.

I have the 180GB package, 40 GB peak times and 140 GB off peak.Now if for example at the end of month my peak limit is 39GB and off peak is 5GB is that 2 separate limits or is it totalled up and you get charged.The way it comes over in the emails says just the times that may go over but the account page gives a total as if you will get charged.

sounds a daft thing to ask now but its not clear,especially when you get the emails sent out

Damn kids

DorsetBoy · Sep 26, 2010, 09:04:18

In the case of 39GB and 5GB there is no charge as they are 2 separate limits. Think of it as 2 accounts one for peak the other for off peak. Only let the kids use the internet after midnight

tKe · Sep 26, 2010, 13:57:51

Would anyone be interested in a small app that logs the bandwidth usage (the values shown in the Vista/7/Android gadgets). I could maybe either modify the existing gadgets to log the values so you can graph them, or write a separate app that sits in your system tray and logs/graphs them?

That might help provide a (roughly) hourly breakdown of bandwidth usage to better work out when the majority of your usage is being (ab)used.

Thoughts welcome, happy to have a play. It may not be able to provide monitoring to the granularity of tbb but it does provide the figures IDNet are using for charging (including the split between peak and offpeak).