NBN internet usage 7GB in less than two hours

voteoften on 13/09/2014 - 13:39
Last edited 17/09/2014 - 09:55

I've recently moved and had NBN installed with iinet. For the first week, I didn't have the appropriate modem, so I was connected via a cable.

I received an email last night from iinet saying I had already churned through 16 of my 20G allowance.

We do not download or stream any entertainment, including music.

I checked my internet usage and on one period of less than 2 hours shows that I used 7 GB of data. All I did during that time was check qantas, virgin, iwantthatflight, cheapo air and some hotels. I also emailed a one page excel spreadsheet.

Since the wifi was not connected, I can't really consider that someone hacked that.

For the past 18 years, someone else has paid my internet so this business with usage is a bit vague for me. But, the couple of people that I have spoken with think that is really not possible wiithout downloads.

Does anyone have any idea how I can figure out where this usage came from?

UPDATE: I am not sure how it happened, but the 7GB of usage on the 9th has disappeared from my account. I still have 3GB and 5GB showing on my account on the 11th and 12th. All of my other days now range from 0.22GB to 0.67GB so it appears that there was either a malware in my laptop that my free subscription to AVG got rid of or iinet fixed a problem. Thanks everyone who helped.

Internet

Comments

  • Baysew on 13/09/2014 - 13:52
    +47

    Sounds like JV's usage from his OzBargain posts.

    • smartazz104 on 15/09/2014 - 13:18
      +30

      The bold text is where it all goes…

      • MrBillions on 17/09/2014 - 23:51

        That is the funniest comment of the year.

        Capitalization also uses more data so use it wisely.

        • muncan on 20/09/2014 - 00:08

          This is funny, but it's technically correct.

  • voteoften on 13/09/2014 - 13:59

    I have now had a look at yesterday's usage. During a less than two hour period, I was looking at houses on realestate.com.au and used up 1.6 GB. There were no videos.

    • IIGnomeII on 15/09/2014 - 08:47
      +18

      That kind of usage couldn't have been from looking at websites unless there was big HD videos that it was buffering.

      My money is on you operating system performing updates or another piece of software syncing files.
      Do you use dropbox or any other storage platform to sync files between your desktop and the web?
      Have you connected any other devices like phones or laptop or a NAS to the network?

      Have a look over your connected devices and work from them.

      • alizzan on 16/09/2014 - 11:35

        I had Google Play Music kill my mobile data limit when it tried to sync my entire library over my tethered connection at work. My money is on it being something similar.

        • weesals on 18/09/2014 - 14:03

          If you're using Windows 8, dont forget to right-click the tethered connection and "Set as metered connection". It should (hopefully) stop programs using it too aggressively.

      • boozler on 16/09/2014 - 13:39
        +1

        Remove your PC and connect a up a spare/test pc, and see if there's any differences.

    • andyken on 16/09/2014 - 13:24
      -6

      check your wifi setting, maybe your neighbor used it all, change the wifi password immediately

  • Apoca89 on 13/09/2014 - 14:26
    +3

    Put your concerns to iiNet. Why they may not be able to 'stop' what's being downloaded, they may be able to work through with you what it might be (and stop it in the future).
    Could it be updates for your devices? Anything pre-loading?

    • Morien on 17/09/2014 - 08:48

      Just to clarify. They can't say "oh, it was this and this video from this and this site." They can offer only the suggestions that many in this post already have.

  • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/09/2014 - 14:28
    +7

    One thing to check would just be automatic software updates on the computers that are connected. Though I can't see it being anywhere near as high as you've mentioned.

    Also do you have any kind of internet backup/sync software such as sugarsync, because that could be consistently uploading/downloading

  • voteoften on 13/09/2014 - 14:32

    There are probably some updates, but as I am not technically inclined and don't have a lot of programs and such to update, I just can't imagine what they would be. Also, the usage corresponds to when I am on the computer. I just don't see how realestate.com.au can churn through 1.6 in about an hours time. I looked at one postcode and only pulled up 5 - 8 houses while chatting on the phone about the houses. I was occupied with my call so wasn't running other programs.

    I have written to iinet and I am going to see if the person/entity that has paid for my internet usage up to now can see my previous usage at the old address.

  • Ventak on 13/09/2014 - 15:17
    +8

    Damn, I'm jealous. Wish I had NBN (the original one, not the gimped one).

    • voteoften on 13/09/2014 - 19:11
      +1

      I don't know if this is gimped. I think they are forcing people to go with NBN when you move into a place and establish an account. I've owned this house for about 7 years and there was a tenant in here with kids at private school and they owned a business. They must have had some internet, but now all the providers said no broadband or adsl is available to your area.

      If you are moving, establish your internet options well before your move. It took 3 weeks for the chaps to come out and install it. Apparently that is a good waiting time.

      • superklue on 16/09/2014 - 08:59
        +5

        The NBN is an upgrade of telecommunications infrastructure. It's not an alternative. Talk to your service provider about he usage. You may have some nasty malware on your machine causing this problem. You might not have noticed on your previous ADSL but with the increased speeds on NBN your problem has been magnified.

        Otherwise, contact the NBN Co Contact Centre 1800 687 626 and let them know you're having issues.

      • Talonparty on 16/09/2014 - 16:21
        +1

        It beats telstra. My last place took 5 months to enable the copper phone line to initiate the switchover for naked dsl which took another week or so.

        3 weeks is pretty good pal.

  • scrimshaw on 13/09/2014 - 16:35
    +22

    Is your computer infected with malware perhaps?
    Are you seeding torrents?
    Are you using Dropbox, Mozy or MS Onedrive / Skydrive or any other cloud services? Are your uploads counted?

    I also suggest using Networx which is a free bandwidth and speed monitoring app for Windows to keep an eye on how much you download on that particular PC.

    • voteoften on 13/09/2014 - 19:08
      +4

      Thanks for your response Scrimshaw. I don't upload anything.

      Thanks for the link about seeding. I still don't understand exactly what it is, but I reckon I would know that I was doing it.

      I will do a complete malware run. When I was tethering my laptop to my phone, I used it a little bit less and only went through 2 GB in about a week.

      I'm going to use my old laptop for a day or so and see if there is a major difference.

      I emailed iinet. They called me a couple of hours later saying they had checked out my usage and they didn't see anything wrong. I upgraded to 100g peak/100g offpeak for an extra $10 a month. Last night I had paid $10 for an extra 10G in data and they refunded that as well. Based on the rapid response on a Saturday and their wilingness to refund that money, I must say I'm pretty haappy with iinet.

      I really sense something is wrong here however. All I do is shop, browse shops, buy airline tickets, check ozbargain and the news, and various other browsing. There is just no dowwnloading or uploading going on but the usage is always when I am online, even now that I have wifi.

      I'm out all day tomorrow, so I update in a few days whether my old laptop uses as much data.

      Thanks everyone.

      • JediJan on 14/09/2014 - 15:39
        +3

        I still think that 7GB in 2 hours is really excessive so this absolutely needs to be resolved. I know my son can chew up about that in 24 hours but that is only when he is watching YouTube non-stop*.

        I can manage on 300mb, yes megabits, even though I have 500mb allowance (and on data workout right now too) in an entire month for my emails, the odd YouTube, weather updates, etc. on my mobile, so yes, Wow!

        *For those who may be concerned; his Nan rings when her allowance is rather excessive and the changeover date is nigh.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2014 - 17:20
          +50

          my son can chew up about that in 24 hours but that is only when he is watching YouTube non-stop*.

          Sure. "YouTube"

          ;)

        • scrimshaw on 14/09/2014 - 18:28
          +8

          Must be all those Linux ISO's and educational videos on Udemy. Bad, bad boy.

        • JediJan on 15/09/2014 - 00:29
          +1

          @waterlogged turnip:
          Well I know it's not Fakebook! ;o)

        • JediJan on 15/09/2014 - 00:41
          +1

          @scrimshaw:
          Mostly sick parodies like Ernest & Friends, The Young Ones etc. I think we have a Gomez Adams in residence. No bondage vIdeos allowed on Nan's computer … Ha they get sprung fairly quickly If they do! Go over the GB limits and there's lawns to be mowed to recompense … Ha Win/Win for Nan ;o)

        • Daabido on 16/09/2014 - 23:08
          +1

          You do know that 300 megabits is about 37.5 megabytes? If your download allowance for the month is 500 megabits you are being royally screwed.

        • JediJan on 18/09/2014 - 09:02

          @Daabido:
          Thank you for correcting me … I should have stated MB (megabytes) not Mb (megabit). My phone plan gives me only 500 MB … megabytes of data each month. Yes, I would be dying on Mb. I find 500 MB sufficient for checking my emails frequently. My brain hurts! Actually, they have been rather nice of late … been on unlimited data for 2 months after upgrading to $40 Red plan (Vodafone) … with a free mobile too.

      • p3rsonally on 16/09/2014 - 10:06

        If you're using Windows 7/8, try using the "resource monitor" network tab to check what application is using the bandwidth. On Windows 8, just use the task manager in "advanced mode".

        To open Resource Monitor, hit windows key, type "resmon", kit enter.

        • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 05:43

          Thanks. I tried resource manager. Can not make heads or tails of the information displayed and it appears to be current usage, not historical.

      • realaaa on 17/09/2014 - 07:41

        if you are positive there is nothing like Dropbox or system updates etc it might be a malware indeed, without you knowing you might have malicious software on your computer participating in DDOS attacks etc etc and those tools can chew up all traffic they can get hold of (yay NBN! nom nom nom)

    • Dave1988 on 16/09/2014 - 14:07

      it seeded 25 GB(uploaded) in a day from my HP microserver…have to cap uploads in NBN ,its must…

  • blitz on 13/09/2014 - 16:37
    +1

    Please keep us updated OP!

    • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2014 - 17:56
      +9

      Your post is redundant in relation to the OP if you know how you're getting through 7gb+ in a day.

      • ethereal88 on 14/09/2014 - 17:05
        -7

        Pffft. OP got some porn most like.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2014 - 19:33
    +2

    Is there a secure connection to your modem? Is there a WEP key applied? You get these scumbags that stay i front of your house and use your Internet connection

    Never mind: I didn't read it properly. Sorry

  • twocsies on 13/09/2014 - 21:32
    +2

    It could be the updates, although it would have to be a big backlog of updates to make 16 GB!

    If you're running Windows 8 you just press Windows key and type "update history" you can select "view your update history" and check if there were many files for that date. My computer only lists 26 updates for 10/09/2014.

    • voteoften on 13/09/2014 - 23:06

      Thanks for this advice. No windows updates on the 9th (the 7GB day) . This laptop came with windows, but I use chrome. Would there be separate updates for chrome?

      • Tech5 on 15/09/2014 - 08:10
        +1

        Chrome has its own updates but it would tell you. And I doubt an update would be bigger than a few MB. The program is like only 20mb after all.

        • Agret on 17/09/2014 - 13:37

          I think Chrome updates are around 35MB so definitely not the 7GB

  • 1bug on 15/09/2014 - 00:35
    +1

    You can also try Network Meter (a desktop gadget for Windows) which allows you to check your network usage in real time (I use it on Windows 7)…

    http://addgadgets.com/network_meter/

  • gwbh on 15/09/2014 - 05:20
    +1

    Can you post what model of modem/router you have, how many people in your house are connected, and what devices (PCs, laptops, Foxtel etc) are connected.

    Can you confirm wireless is definitely still off?

    My guess is that either a member(do you have kids/teenagers) or a non-member of your household (wireless or wired) is downloading without your knowledge.

    2gb of download must be stored somewhere, so for each connected device search for the latest modified files it might provide a clue.

    My 2c worth, that level is usage is definitely massive downloads of some kind - nothing like the routine downloads you describe, not even automatic updates.

    Your modem/router may have a log you can check.

    • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 05:46

      It was the same with hard-wired connection and the Buddilite modem that iinet sold to me.

      During this time there have been two people in the house. All of the massive use is when I am on my laptop, not when the other person is on their ipad or ipod.

      It must be this laptop.

  • wonderboy on 15/09/2014 - 08:17
    +1

    Had a similar problem a few months ago. Turned out my housemate's computer was infected and would download 20GB of stuff a day. It's been disconnected from the net until she fixes and daily bandwidth went back to normal.

  • ndr2h on 15/09/2014 - 08:23
    +1

    Do you have an iphone? could be an icloud backup.

    • JediJan on 15/09/2014 - 09:08

      Yes, Or someone downloading iPad/Phone apps … and their massive updates.
      I chewed up some GBs during Vodafone's unlimited GB weekend not so long ago, just downloading apps to the iPad.

    • nephilim on 15/09/2014 - 09:47
      +3

      Stupid auto play video feature on facebook is also a data killer, easily use 1GB in 1 day on a phone over wifi

      • scrimshaw on 15/09/2014 - 11:34
        +1

        Disable the flash add on or set it to on demand and then install Adblock, bandwidth saved.

      • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 05:47
        +1

        I am not on facebook or twitter.

  • squashedfrog on 15/09/2014 - 09:41
    +1

    i had a similar issue with high volumes of data download (avg 15+ gb a day) which I initially thought was a result of wifi hacking or really long skype sessions. After securing the networks and applying mac address filtering, was still experiencing high data download. Installed a data/network logger and found out that skype on the desktop uses very little downloads/uploads. Turns out the kids using youtube on their ipad was the cause. Youtube on ipad detects line speed and defaults the quality to what it thinks is best. I am on 100Mb optus cable and youtube chooses the highest quality video + ads. and kids being kids like forwarding back and forth on a single video, causing it to re download. i tested watching 10 seconds of a longer video and it downloaded around 200MB.

    I know this is probably not related to the OP's problems, but the only way i found out was to install a data/network download stat logger to narrow down the source of problem. If your primary computer shows downloads consistent with what iinet is reporting, then you have to look into the programs and what is happening behind the scenes. A simple thing is to look at windows task manager's networking tab (assuming you are using windows) to see if there is network activity whilst you are not doing any internet activities whilst the computer is on.

    • wukachuka on 15/09/2014 - 13:46
      +2

      There is no way 10 seconds of video from youtube was 200mb
      1080p video for 40 minutes is about 1.2 gigs (average) in my experience. (with 5.1 sound)

      • c0balt on 15/09/2014 - 14:18
        +1

        This.

        Youtube tops out at ~600KB/s (6mb/s) for a 1080 file. So it would be ~6MB per 10s not 200MB - 95% less than squashedfrog's monitoring tool reported or was misinterpreted.

        http://blog.waterworld.com.hk/post/hd-quality-youtube-vs-vim…

        • Woodyg22 on 15/09/2014 - 17:20
          +2

          Still buffers ahead of time regardless of how much you actually watch, would easily be true!

        • c0balt on 15/09/2014 - 17:39
          +1

          @Woodyg22:

          Unless using a browser addon to force differently - Youtube won't buffer more than a few seconds ahead due to the DASH protocol.

          Even then, 200MB would be ~30mins of video. Let's say you max out your iiNet 100Mbps connection on youtube (very highly unlikely), and you let it go for 10 seconds. Well that's a maximum of ~120MB, not 200MB, and that's if the perfect storm of browser addons to break DASH and maxing out the speed on an international connection known for throttling speeds. So 200MB for a 10 second youtube video is incredibly unlikely in bandwidth terms.

          As it just can't be due to YouTube streaming alone - It's much more likely that there were processes in the background open that the network monitor was picking up as the youtube data was being tallied.

        • Woodyg22 on 16/09/2014 - 00:38

          @c0balt: I agree with your sums and see that there must be something up.
          YouTube does seem to buffer a lot more than a few seconds ahead, using chrome.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2014 - 09:56

    Windows auto updates, java auto updates, adobe auto updates, other software auto updates, any google software auto uploading photos, itunes auto downloading stuff, backup software auto backing up to cloud (have seen on new factory installs with crapware installed). anything else that might sync with cloud services, skype.

    A 20GB connection to the NBN seems small, with such a small connection I would be making sure my data plan only throttled the connection once the limit reached.

  • KaTst3R on 15/09/2014 - 10:28
    +3

    How does anyone survive with 20gb these days ????!!!

    • scrimshaw on 15/09/2014 - 11:35

      People who are rarely at home or do most of their browsing at work…

      Also OP actually might have 40gb in total since it is an peak/offpeak NBN plan. That quota however will still get used up very quickly on a high speed NBN plan without the user noticing it. Spend a few hours on reddit and boom, bandwidth capped :(

      • DarwinBoy on 15/09/2014 - 12:16

        If it's anything like the option I had when going NBN with iinet 6 months ago you had the choice of 20GB(10 on10 off) or 200GB(100on 100off.) I went the 20 but after chewing that in about 4 days went to the 200GB. We never had router originally or TV reception so watched a bit of TV through the xbox and some how smashed our quota. Changed pretty quick and never had much trouble since.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2014 - 12:25

      I have a 20GB limit. It's more than sufficient for me…

      My net is so damn slow it naturally limits the amount I can get through each month lol

      (cries)

      • treeman on 15/09/2014 - 14:01

        I'm on the slowest nbn speed and have 20/20 and manage. Don't want to pay anymore. I would like it to be 30/30 I probably use my limit once every 2 times. Sometimes I still have 10 gigs left. Never rang up for extra data but sometimes I manage to trick my ISP that I shouldn't have been capped so they uncap me and I can still download a not extra foe the rest of the month.

        • sparkles on 16/09/2014 - 13:56

          We have 150/150 and always have loads left over. I always have a download fest at the end of the month.

        • Azn310 on 17/09/2014 - 09:36

          How can you trick ISP to uncap?

          The guys at activ8me can fix you up with 100gb (down and up) for 50 bucks if you sign a 12 month contract on their 50gb plan (they double the data allowance for contracts IIRC). Have used them for a year no hassle.

          Unless NbN prices have gone down in the last couple of months, these guys were the cheapest when I shopped around. Exetel was the next in line to give you the best bangs for your bucks. Not saying you are going to need all those bangs :D

        • mattyman on 17/09/2014 - 09:50

          @Azn310: You don't "trick". TPG do uncapped NBN.

          http://www.tpg.com.au/nbn

    • umoddbro on 15/09/2014 - 17:48
      -2

      20gb is like a days usage for me.. youtube vids easily take a huge chunk of it.

  • aunet on 15/09/2014 - 10:38
    +1

    Time to check meta data, that's what government has proposed that comes handy now.

    • c0balt on 15/09/2014 - 12:59

      Your buzzwords make no sense.

  • syousef on 15/09/2014 - 13:55

    By any chance did you get a new Android device or reset one and log into an existing account with lots of apps? I've had a couple of gig of mobile broadband chewed in a couple of hours because the device fetched a firmware updat and every app I had ever downloaded. Initially it didn't want to stop retrying. I was supervising so had an idea what was happening and could have shut it off completely till I got home to cable but as it's prepaid and I have to use it in a limited time I let it run.

    A large Windows update, especially on multiple machines could also explain it.

    Auto-update and auto-download has gone from being a useful tool to a feral nuisance that's difficult to turn off.

    If you are tech savvy or have a friend that is some of the things you can do are:
    - Use built in tools like netstat (On windows -o option is handy to work out which process)
    - Turn on logging on your router and try to work out what's doing it
    - Set up limiting software on the devices that connect. You can use something like netlimiter on a PC (Zonealarm USE to be great back in the day but the current version is a crash fest),
    - On Android devices and Windows 8 you can set up data usage limits. On Android you can set up a wireless connection in the data usage settings to be a "hotspot" which should limit some of your usage, and you can also prevent certain applications from accessing the net in the background.

    • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 05:51

      No new devices. It is all to do with this laptop, I am sure. Because it happened when it was hardwired and when it went to wifi.

  • cdaddy on 15/09/2014 - 14:15
    +4

    You don't have a teenage son do you?

  • Magus on 15/09/2014 - 15:24

    The other thing that could cause this is connecting directly to the NBN NTD without a router, and windows firewall not turned on. Unless up to date with OS and applications, it is not a good idea.

    Even a service pack failed update is only around 500Mb, and requires a restart to trigger again.

    I suggest a decent router to start. Ensure windows firewall is set on. Task manager to see what is running.

  • mattyman on 15/09/2014 - 16:58
    +1

    Game updates? Battlefield or Steam maybe? They can be huuuuuggggeee.

    It's one of the reasons I'll be going with TPG's unlimited 100/40 for $90 once I get mine sorted (only had the outside fiber box added on Friday).

  • Gnostikos on 15/09/2014 - 17:09
    +1

    If you don't already have it, you need to get iiNet Usage Analyser. As does any iiNet subscriber.

    No more logging onto iiNet's website just to check your quota; Usage Analyzer sits in the system tray and automatically syncs with your live iiNet Toolbox data as often as you set it to and gives you a nice "quota remaining per day" calculation to help to keep your usage on target, as well as the same kind of graphs you get on your iiNet toolbox.

    With it, it's impossible to be unsure if you've nearly used up your quota or on which days your bandwidth was hammered.

    Very, very useful tool. I have a complete backlog of my internet usage, broken down day-by-day, going back 5 years with iiUsage.

    • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 06:07
      +1

      I have installed this now. Great tool. Thanks.

  • Dan_ on 15/09/2014 - 18:42

    Since the wifi was not connected, I can't really consider that someone hacked that.

    The wifi is not connected? Do you mean WiFi is disabled on the router? Who get's NBN and doesn't enable WiFi for their phone at least?

    • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 05:56

      When NBN was first connected, I did not have the router. I have the old one but it didn't work. It took about a week to get the iinet router delivered. During that time, I was connected via the blue cable cord. No wifi. Direct connection to the NBN box.

      • andyken on 17/09/2014 - 08:21
        -1

        But it is not meant there wifi settings is set to off. Most router cones with wifi, and by default it was on with no security. Yes, you are connected via cable but might be good idea to check your wifi setting

        • mattyman on 17/09/2014 - 09:37

          Nope. He was connected directly to the NTD. No router.

  • mirridon on 15/09/2014 - 19:12

    Someone once gave me this metaphor.

    Imagine 3G and ADSL2 as a running water tap. The water tap is the amount of data you're chugging through.

    Now imagine 4G and NBN, as 10 running water taps, allowing more data. You're going to be surfing and updates are going to be downloading, at an extremely fast rate.

    20GB on NBN is really really low. It would be like owning a Ferrari and only driving it at 8am through Brisbane City. (Sorry for the symbolism)

    Could you upgrade your plan now?

    • big on 15/09/2014 - 21:08
      -1

      Agree with above.

      Are you sure your NBN did not come with a wireless router and you really plugin via network cable (router might have been installed by iinet installer) ?

      IF there is a router with wireless capability, did you change the default password of that router ?

      • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 05:58

        When it arrived a week after I started using the NBN with the blue cord directly plugged into my computer, I set up the router and changed the password.

        Before that, I connected to the internet via a blue cord that has phone cord type ends. One end into the NBN box, the other into my laptop.

  • rudylee88 on 15/09/2014 - 21:11
    +1

    I can see that you are running Windows. You can try this free software https://www.glasswire.com/

    It has bandwidth monitoring tool and will tell you which app consumes the most bandwidth.

    Good luck!

  • fruxo on 15/09/2014 - 21:25

    Definitely doesn't sound right, and you should use a monitor program to track down where the usage is coming from. Could partly be updates and whatnot, but 7gb seems a bit high. Could be malware as has been mentioned, or just some device connected to the network that you are forgetting about (or not realizing the amount of data it uses).

    Either way, once you have this sorted, I would still recommend paying an extra $10 a month for 100gb (+100gb offpeak). That way, you can watch the occasional video stream and whatnot without worrying. Since you have such a good connection, you should give yourself the opportunity to use it, you might be surprised.

    EDIT: I can see you have already upgraded to 100gb, good choice. Make sure you track down where the usage is coming from though. Maybe someone else is connecting to your network as well. Although if the usage seems to correlate with your computer being connected, I would be very suss that you have some malware or similar. Just install some program to monitor your data and you should be able to figure it out.

  • flickr on 16/09/2014 - 08:06

    I am experiencing the same problem. i'm iinet user and use their NBN plan. Didn't download much and never exceeded my quota before. Suddenly my usage is at 80%. Do you think there is a bug on iinet side?

  • garetz on 16/09/2014 - 08:44

    I wouldnt touch the nbn, this reminds me of when cable internet was first introduced with optus. I downloaded at their max download rate, which was like 10 mbits, for a few minutes, and they sent me a cease and desist and they were going to cancel my account cause i didnt follow their aup.

    When i called and told them how was i supposed to control my download speed, to follow their aup, they had no answers and after that retracted their notice. It will propably take a few years before the nbn becomes stable. Most suppliers have no clue.

    I worked at telstra tech support, and can tell you that usage they show doesnt always reflect your actual usage, cause mistakes happen all the time on the backend. I would think the nbn is no different.

    • chipstss on 16/09/2014 - 20:12
      +1

      There is nothing unstable about the proper NBN(FTTH)

      • twocsies on 17/09/2014 - 12:28

        I assume that he means "stable" to imply that the ISPs have measured responses to customers. However, customers aren't dealing with NBN but with RSPs. The RSPs were all ISPs so there shouldn't be years of teething for usage except if the new devices are incorrectly reporting usage.

    • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 06:10

      I had no option. The are phasing out ADSL when you move into a property apparently. So even though my tenants has ADSL, I could not get it after I moved into the place (after they moved out.)

  • Oliver on 16/09/2014 - 11:10

    Whenever OP says they aren't technically inclined and wonder why their usage is so high, 99% of the time it's not a mistake and they are the cause of the problem. Whether kids are downloading without the parents's knowledge or understanding, or they have malware, or they're doing something wrong, the problem is almost always their own fault and not a mistake by the company.

    • azorax on 17/09/2014 - 09:07

      Agreed, which is why OP is asking for advice on what might be causing the problem on laptop and asking iiNet if they can help (i'm assuming).

      Though it is definitely not uncommon for at least temporary 'over estimation' on behalf of the ISP.
      I've had a friend who one night checked his usage which was 80% used, then after a couple days checked again and it was 27%.

  • bghunter on 16/09/2014 - 11:22
    +1

    Seeing no replies, it looks like OPs finished her quota for the month. Expect a reply 01/10 ;)

  • jace88 on 16/09/2014 - 11:26

    I'd guess torrents, malware or some cloud-sync/backup software (e.g. dropbox) which you may or may not have installed yourself (could've come "free" with a USB drive or your PC). It's happened to me before.

  • andyken on 16/09/2014 - 13:25

    i guess someone on neighborhood knew the wifi password and used it for torrent or games

    • gummibears on 16/09/2014 - 13:50

      OP said wifi was not connected.

      • Dan_ on 16/09/2014 - 13:59
        +4

        Yes… but what does that even mean?

        Does it mean its disabled or is OP not using it but unaware that it's still enabled?

        • voteoften on 17/09/2014 - 06:11

          I was directly connected to the box for the first week. Similar to a dialup connection. I did not have a router that first week.

        • andyken on 17/09/2014 - 08:22

          @voteoften:

          But do your modem had wireless? You are connecting via cable but how about your modem wireless setting?

        • mattyman on 17/09/2014 - 09:42

          @andyken:you dont technicallt need a router with the NBN. The NBN box is the modem. It has one ethernet port. He was connected directly to that.

        • andyken on 17/09/2014 - 12:43

          @mattyman: oh ok, thanks for the info, i didnt know that, my mate had one but he connect to the router..

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