Apparent abnormal Bandwidth usage ?

Question

I’m on ADSL 384kbps with monthly cap of 1G. Up to recently, this was more than adequate for my needs which are about 2/3 hrs per day Internet usage plus email. I regularly visit sites such as CNBC, Yahoo mail, CNN, BBC and occasionally download mp3 and video files. So far this month (up to 13 October) used 432 MIB of which 340 was downloaded data. I did have Limewire on my pc but have removed it in an effort to reduce involuntary use of BW. I also have Symantec which auto downloads virus def files each day. Have Spybot loaded plus windows updates is activated as is the firewall. I usually leave my modem connected when idle. I’ve run several complete scans of my pc but no threat revealed. Spybot reveals a tracking cookie but says it fixed the problem. Have port locking in place with ISP. I don’t think the problem resides with ISP as recently changed and usage is the same. At a loss to know what to do next to try and identify the problem. Using a piece of freeware called NetMeter which appears to pretty accurate in tracking usage as I’ve cross checked the figs with ISP. Overnight, it showed that 11 MIB was downloaded even though IE & Outlook weren’t open. Can anyone help? Many tks Chris

Answer 1

Yea try the first answer.. Nowadays almost every program running uses bandwidth in some way, especially your operating system, but 11mb is a lot of data when you're not downloading files. My guess is some program is updating itself automatically, so check out the auto-update settings for every app you can think of. It could theoretically be a trojan, but either Symantec or Spybot would probably find it.



Speaking of which, Symantec is a resource hog and will slow down your computer significantly, so I recommend BitDefender. I don't know how the latest version of Symantec works but when I last used it everything was fully automated. BitDefender on the other hand can be set up so every program must ask your permission before connecting to the net, so it would be a lot easier to identify the problem..

Answer 2

that sucks the speed and 1g a month ><



Computer firewall Anti virus Anti spy ware anti Malware and Trojans and more.



You'll need atleast 3 things.



1. A good antivirus (Free alternatives; AVG | Avast!)

2. MalwareBytes

3. Spybot - Search and destroy



2.1

First try with your antivirus program. If all the popups and stuff is still there even after your antivirus said it removed it, move on to Ad-Aware.



2.2

Let MalwareBytes install and then do a full scan.

Remove everything it may have found and see if there's any differense.

If you're still getting those shitty popups with "GET LAID TONIGHT WITH THIS RANDOM RUSSIAN SLUT!" or "PARTY POKER! LOSE ALL YOUR MONEY HERE!" then move on to Spybot S&D.



2.3

Now we've gone really far, so I recommend to use the Imunize option in Spybot.

You can also disconnect your lan cable or wireless network to prevent it from just redownloading.

Now start the scan. It'll take forever so go watch some TV or something.

When you come back, it should be done, and have found tons of junk you didn't even know you had.

Just select everything and remove it.

This is what it should look like.



2.4

If you're still having problems, you have 2 options;

1. Try again in safe mode.

2. Off to google to look for specific removal tools.



2.5

You can also try using HijackThis

It lists all the running programs, and then you can tell the program which to remove.

If you see any suspicious files such as "C:\Program Files\xxgfjd\akdjd.dll" then just remove it, but be carefull cause you can end up removing files that you might need.





2.6 User recommended software

MalwareBytes

SpywareBlaster

CCleaner (Registry fix)





Some other programs I would recommend that you use for a faster and better computer.



ClamWin 0.94

NOD32 AntiVirus 3.0.667

Avast! Home Edition 4.8.1229

a-squared Free 3.5.0.25

SuperAntiSpyware 4.21.1004

Answer 3

That couldve been from your virus updates. Also, most computers have an Automatic update feature that goes online and checks for that stuff. Try playing around with some settings.