Help! Data constantly downloading...

Continious downloading

Hi,

I have a laptop with VC 3G downloading constantly - around 5MB per hour - when 3G is running.

Norton reports Ok, as does Winclam.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
Have you got a firewall?
If so, check what is using a port to contact the outside world and vice versa.
Otherwise, netmonitor can tell you as well.

P.S. also check that automatic updates are turned off.
 
Yip, also have to agree. It lists all programs that are using bandwith. Allows you to set a maximum up/download limit for each of them. Nice if you use P2P programs.

To completely block certain programs I use ZoneAlarm.
 
Hi there all! I got a 3G datacard last week - works a treat except for one thing - data is constantly being used from the moment iI connect (i.e. in connected idle mode, i am not even on-line or doing anything). Now I know this can by virus softwear, but I doubt it as it gets updated automatically at work everyday and I switch automatic updates off when going onto 3G. I also know it can by spyware, but i have installed Google Lavasoft anti-spyware softwear and it did not pick up any problem. I also tried blocking any any remote access. I am a bit at my wits end - somtimes up to 1 MB gets downloaded per minute whilst on average is seems like about a 1MB every 10-minutes now...very frustrating when you only have a 500MB contract for the month! Any advice??

P.S. I am not the most technological savvy person on earth so any help would be appreciated!
 
Go to the windows control panel, open up Automatic Updates, and make sure that they are turned off.

Welcome to the forums :D
 
Deiphos said:
Go to the windows control panel, open up Automatic Updates, and make sure that they are turned off.

Welcome to the forums :D
Click to expand...

Thank u! :) Tried that - unfortunately did not work...
 
Yes

As above...
also, some instant messengers send bits here and there, plus there's the possibility of spyware (not virus). Try adaware - www.lavasoft.de or there's the new one from Grisoft (AVG antivirus people) - free.grisoft.com - called ewido anti spyware.
p.s. After more than four years of use, I am convinced that AVG free edition is far better than Norton AV.


P.s. very good suggestion by V3G above - step one in discovering the root of the problem
 
Last edited:
hi guy's i also bought a data card what does it mean if it say's

"Vodacom: You have used your monthly data bundle,and can continue at the out of bundle rate. NOTE:This information can be up to 3 hours old, from last disconnect"?

tia

"P
 
Ok, do you have a firewall set up on your PC? If not have a look at ZoneAlarm. Do any of your programs have an Automatic Update feature, such as Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus programs? If they do, turn them off. Do you have an email client that could be checking for new mail constantly?

Do you have an instant messanger client? It could be sending and receiving too much data.
 
vodacom3g said:
Obviously something is downloading or sending data, this could be malware of some kind or it could just be updates including the virus definition files themselves!

Download and install netlimiter or netmonitor (http://www.netlimiter.com) to see which apps are using how much data.
Click to expand...

Thanks - what a good idea! That should at least point me in the right direction (i.e. what is utilizing the data).
 
Do you have a bundle?

Aspersie said:
hi guy's i also bought a data card what does it mean if it say's

"Vodacom: You have used your monthly data bundle,and can continue at the out of bundle rate. NOTE:This information can be up to 3 hours old, from last disconnect"?

tia

"P
Click to expand...

If not (or if you have indeed exceeded your bundle limit), you are charged at the out of bundle rate (whatever it is). I.e. you pay per meg downloaded, etc.
 
Aspersie said:
hi guy's i also bought a data card what does it mean if it say's

"Vodacom: You have used your monthly data bundle,and can continue at the out of bundle rate. NOTE:This information can be up to 3 hours old, from last disconnect"?

tia

"P
Click to expand...

1) "You have used your monthly data bundle": You bought some data bundle and have now used it up, say you bought a 50M bundle, this is now depleted.

2) "and can continue at the out of bundle rate"; you can carry on using data but will now be charged @ R2/Mb.

3) "This information can be up to 3 hours old, from last disconnect": THe billing systems normally update only every 3 hours, so you could have gone over your bundle 3 hours ago.
 
Deiphos said:
Ok, do you have a firewall set up on your PC? If not have a look at ZoneAlarm. Do any of your programs have an Automatic Update feature, such as Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus programs? If they do, turn them off. Do you have an email client that could be checking for new mail constantly?

Do you have an instant messanger client? It could be sending and receiving too much data.
Click to expand...

Have to agree with Deiphos. Had similar problems on other machines. Everytime I install a new OS I first install ZoneAlarm and get the latest Windows updates. ZoneAlarm also alerts you of every programs that tries to make contact with outside world. You can then set a connection/no-connection 'rule' for each program. For example programs like MusicMatch 10 always tries to connect to internet whenever it is open. You can then select to block all its in- and out-going traffic.

I haven't had problems on any of my new installations since then. Worth a try me thinks. (Also the new ZoneAlarm has a built-in spyware removal program. I've never compared it to anything else out there, but seems to be OK for me)
 
UnDeR±tAkEr said:
Have to agree with Deiphos. Had similar problems on other machines. Everytime I install a new OS I first install ZoneAlarm and get the latest Windows updates. ZoneAlarm also alerts you of every programs that tries to make contact with outside world. You can then set a connection/no-connection 'rule' for each program. For example programs like MusicMatch 10 always tries to connect to internet whenever it is open. You can then select to block all its in- and out-going traffic.

I haven't had problems on any of my new installations since then. Worth a try me thinks. (Also the new ZoneAlarm has a built-in spyware removal program. I've never compared it to anything else out there, but seems to be OK for me)
Click to expand...

Can you configure ZoneAlarm per interface?

For example, only allow updates when you're not on your 3G connection.

URL for ZoneAlarm?

Freeware?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X