I am only marginally computer savvy, so I need some help.I have ATT USB plug in for my internet access.In the past few days I have noticed theta on my device and on my ATT on screen internet manager, there is a download and an up load going on on almost continuously, even when the browser is not connected. (it shows up load and downloading with a symbol) It is using about 1GB a DAY in data!How can I find out what is doing this and stop it? Please keep your answers simple, for I am nowhere near a geek.

There could be many things uploading/downloading during the day without you being aware of it - Windows updates, anti-virus updates, other programs checking in with Mother to see if they have updates.But there are only 2 things I can think of that would eat up that much data in a day: automatic backups to cloud or file sharing (music, movies, etc).

HappyKayakers wrote:There could be many things uploading/downloading during the day without you being aware of it - Windows updates, anti-virus updates, other programs checking in with Mother to see if they have updates.But there are only 2 things I can think of that would eat up that much data in a day: automatic backups to cloud or file sharing (music, movies, etc).x2Shut your computer off when not in use, this will help in data usage when you are not using it. If I am very careful, I can get by on a 15 gig plan from AT&T, when we are on the road for a while, 2 months or more, I kick my plan up to 20 gig a month. Then when we come off the road I go back to the 15 gig plan.

That is a great start. Thanks for the super fast reply. We do not stream anything, or file share anything, that we know of. No movies, TV shows etc. We do not use "cloud" services. How do I find these "background" data uses and disable them?

Have you tried running anti malware. i use malwarebytes. It will usually find something that was installed without your knowledge. i run it about once a week. keeps everything clean and fast. There is a free version easily available online.

I am assuming you are connecting your smart phone to your computer and not using the AT&T sierra module. Go into your smart phone app manager and change the settings on updates. On your computer you can change updates to "notify me of updates" instead of automatic updates. Sometimes they will update stuff you don't really want. On my computer I don't use some of the tool bars, or Bing by microsoft so why should I update them. Plus, take your homescreen off the home page like CNN or Foxnews. Use outlook on your computer to check your e-mail instead of going to the ATT site. I check my news on "news myway". I am probably getting too old. Had my smart phone for about 2 years and hate it. When I'm not charging the battery I am swearing at it. LOL. Has some great features but like my laptop better using it with the ATT sierra module and the Verizon Jetpack module. We use about 15 GB a month. DW is going to keep her smart phone and I am going back to a flip phone that I don't have to charge twice a day. BTW I use Firefox, ghostery and adblock plus on the laptop. Amazing how much less data I use and still go to the sites I want to view. JMHO

Unknown Data Use | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

tatest
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2014
Two busiest users of the Internet connection on my PCs, when I'm not streaming or actively browsing, are Windows Update and the antivirus/Internet security programs. Even when you decide on one AV product, others might install as part of a browser installation or update. In addition to Microsoft and your AV providers, the computer vendor could be running an update agent, and providers of add-ons (Java, anything from Adobe) are notorious for leaving update agents checking for and downloading updates.

There are also antivirus programs that go to a cloud service rather than running locally, or run locally but go to a server for signature data.

All of this without synching anything to a cloud data or backup server or a media sharing site. I'm surprised at how many applications have some agent talking to the Internet while I think the app is not running.

Laptops used to have a physical "network interface" (whether WiFi or wired) on-off switch, to help save battery power, but now you might have to do this from the control panel to disconnect.
wcjeep
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
Has the OP verified no data when devices are turned off? Agree with others. Sounds like a cloud backup. Skydrive? Google +? Dropbox? Carbonite?
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
That is a great start. Thanks for the super fast reply.

We do not stream anything, or file share anything, that we know of. No movies, TV shows etc. We do not use "cloud" services.

How do I find these "background" data uses and disable them?

Some of those things you really don't want to disable. You want AV and other security programs to update when they can. You need Windows updates.

A better solution is to disable the wireless NIC when not in use. This is especially true for laptops and tablets that get used on battery power a lot.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jul 18, 2014
Disconnect turn off internet
Access your firewall
Look for programs, processes trying to access the web
1492
Moderator
Jul 18, 2014
bwanshoom wrote:

Did you try Resource Monitor to find out which program is causing the network usage?

Make sure to click the "Network" tab.
1492
Moderator
Jul 18, 2014
What version of Windows-Home Premium, Pro, etc? Is is 64 bit?

You don't need to uninstall Dropbox. Just right-click the Dropbox system tray icon. Click the tool symbol, and select Exit Dropbox. Or just go into preferences, and disable auto start-up to use Dropbox on demand when you need it.
bwanshoom
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
jcpainter wrote:
Any chance you are using Carbonite or similar online backup program?

If so, turn it off when using your cellular data.

Nope

Did you try Resource Monitor to find out which program is causing the network usage?
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
OP HERE UPDATE--

Just in the short time that I have first posted data use has been .8 GB Help!!!

Yes, I am using a ATT Sierra Beam.

Drop box removed form computer---No effect. High data usage still occurring.

Restore to 4 days earlier. High data usage still occurring.

Malware byte's scan presently running.

If you have a smartphone(s) check those as well as any photos you have there can be send to the cloud as well. If possible, go to an ATT store now and have them find out what's going on. You can start looking my shutting one device down at a time and see when the usage stops.
What are you using to monitor your usage? Something from AT&T or something like NetMeter?
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
jcpainter wrote:
Any chance you are using Carbonite or similar online backup program?

If so, turn it off when using your cellular data.

Nope
jcpainter
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Any chance you are using Carbonite or similar online backup program?

If so, turn it off when using your cellular data.

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Unknown Data Use

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