Usage meter

[Gayle]

I check online and my home internet usage varies from lowest 36 to highest with one exception 172.

Yes I watch Netflix on occasion. However for the month of September my usage jumped to over 1500! 

And I certainly did not more than triple my movie watching.  Only thing done different was I

upgraded from 25 to 50. 

When tech was here they had a problem with connecting the new modem upgrade. Finally he hooked up

both my old and new at same time. I was told to leave and then try again next day and see if new one

would connect properly.  It did so I disconnect the original and then proceeded as usual.  And then one

day I check my usage and saw that spike!  Was told that it was accurate and had 45 dollars added to my bill?  My question to tech people here is :

Is it possible having that problem with the modems caused that spike? 

[WestCoasterBC · Accepted solution]

It's possible the wifi was left open without password on one of the modems. Since it only happened one month this is the logical explanation.

Although that's a large amount of data to download if multiple people had a free for all while it was open it could be done. Even only in a day.

If you ever notice a sudden jump that is unexplained. Change your wireless password ASAP.

[WestCoasterBC]

Has your usuage been normal since the high 1500GB spike? I rarely hit 400GB in a month for what i do. Do you use a bit torrent client or any gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation)

I'd be more led to believe someone got onto your wifi.

[Gayle]

I have no playstation etc. And yes it only spiked in September. And the highest ever was 172. 

I would think if someone managed to get on my wifi it would still be happening.

Just seemed strange it happened at the same time i upgraded.

[WestCoasterBC · Accepted solution]

It's possible the wifi was left open without password on one of the modems. Since it only happened one month this is the logical explanation.

Although that's a large amount of data to download if multiple people had a free for all while it was open it could be done. Even only in a day.

If you ever notice a sudden jump that is unexplained. Change your wireless password ASAP.

[Gayle]

Thank you. I will check with them again and see if they will reverse extra charge, however i have a feeling not.

Updated to say support has refunded me for the overage. Sounds like was left unsecured. So thanks again for your help which helped immensely.

[NFtoBC]

Great news!

Have you put a password on your wifi?  @WestCoasterBC & I strongly suggest you ensure a strong password on your network!