Data bundle went p000f!..

|tera|

|tera|

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Hi guys,

This is more a general technical question than a rant.

I bought a 500mb data bundle last month and planned on using it until it's finished by the end of this month.

I downloaded a few files, roughly 90mb and then I got the new Coldplay Album which is 54mb (free from colplay.com).

I had about 185mb available.

I got software for my flash drive, which was 5mb and further I browsed roughly 7 page views on different sites.

The simcard had R280 on it as well.

Something told me to check the data bundle when I wanted to activate my Windows 7 RC and poof, the data bundle was 0mb, the airtime was down to R80 :eek:

So, how, why and when and where did something go wrong?

I don't have Windows Updates enabled. Only active program that might download anything is my Eset Smart Security.

What else can I check?

I'm not a heavy internet user and I generally spend my days browsing with the casual new app download below 10mb.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks ;)

Edit: lol, wrong forum, belongs in Vodacom :(
 
Last edited:
command prompt > netstat
see what's connecting / broadcasting - theres a few switches to play around with (use netstat /?), give it a time interval about 10 seconds to keep an eye on it.
 
Thanks, will check for open connections.

I'm a bit stumped tbh, really freaky stuff, expensive too :p
 
Tera remember that while you are downloading packets are been sent out from your PC and that also uses up your data bundle.
 
Yeah it's madness
I have to run a spreadsheet to keep track of my usage, otherwise get trigger happy and surf off on a tangent :)
Turn pictures off, no flash etc.
 
Try using something like NetMeter or NetLimiter to track your usage.
 
morkhans said:
Try using something like NetMeter or NetLimiter to track your usage.
Click to expand...

Netlimiter is nice that it shows (most) usage per application.

Most popular cause of 'lost' data, once you've eliminated automatic updates is P2P file sharing programs. People tend to forget them open (they normally autostart and sit in the system tray) and these things keep on uploading even if you don't download anything.

Have seen many people cry long tears because of this. With UPA, you can upload gigs very quickly.
 
vodacom3g said:
Netlimiter is nice that it shows (most) usage per application.

Most popular cause of 'lost' data, once you've eliminated automatic updates is P2P file sharing programs. People tend to forget them open (they normally autostart and sit in the system tray) and these things keep on uploading even if you don't download anything.

Have seen many people cry long tears because of this. With UPA, you can upload gigs very quickly.
Click to expand...

I used Netlimiter briefly a few years ago, worked well for what I needed it for, I'll give it another go.

I don't use any P2P apps either. My Eset is configured in interactive mode, which means I get notice of any outbound or incoming traffic on new applications etc. that access the internet/network.

I'm fairly stumped on this one. :confused:

;)
 
teraside said:
I used Netlimiter briefly a few years ago, worked well for what I needed it for, I'll give it another go.

I don't use any P2P apps either. My Eset is configured in interactive mode, which means I get notice of any outbound or incoming traffic on new applications etc. that access the internet/network.

I'm fairly stumped on this one. :confused:

;)
Click to expand...

Invariable something changed. It's just a matter of finding it.

One of my favourite stories happened in Stellenbosch a while ago. An older guy, not PC-savvy, got a 500M bundle and first month got a R4K bill. Obviously threw his toys, so I had a look at his machine. Found traces of Limewire.

Turns out his 20-year old son installed Limewire every night, downloaded like crazy and uninstalled before the next morning.....
 
I-Tunes and all related Apple products
Adobe Products (Including Acrobat/Reader)
99% of Web browsers
99% of the plugins and snappons for Web browsers
99% of Media/Music/Movie Players
Antivirus & Similar security apps
Nero
...
...

I could keep going, but the point I intend to make, is that Windows Update is not the only thing on a PC that checks and updates automatically when a connection is active.
 
teraside said:
I used Netlimiter briefly a few years ago, worked well for what I needed it for, I'll give it another go.

I don't use any P2P apps either. My Eset is configured in interactive mode, which means I get notice of any outbound or incoming traffic on new applications etc. that access the internet/network.

I'm fairly stumped on this one. :confused:

;)
Click to expand...

Im also stumped at vodacon's billing process. Sometimes taking as much as 5rand per megabyte.

But thats not what this topic is about. Ive seen airtime dissapearing too in the past. You have to be a networking specialist(even better than mr v3g) to stop them from leaking your data bundles.

Most applications aren't written with bandwith caps in mind. U have to use firewalls to restrict everything from accesing the internet
 
get viper firewall it is IMO the best and you can stop every thing but lets say a game from connecting giving it all the bandwidth and nothing can run with out you saying yes or knowing whats going on :)
 
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