MiFi and huge data draw

[catkins]

Using a Verizon MiFi hotspot and suddenly am having HUGE amounts of data being used. No videos, no games, no streaming, no online voice even. In 30 minutes has used over 1.2 Gb while I am reading emails and accessing a very small number of websites.

Always use a good security program and ran a scan - nothing. Did a Spyware check - zero. Cleaned caches, cleaned temp files. All give no answers. Have had data spikes over 6 gb and 2.2 gbs all in short times and generally using mostly my Comcast email account.

I cannot think of anything else to do. Am replacing the hotspot in case it is faulting. Verizon was pretty unable to assist in three tech calls. Sigh.

Any ideas of what has changed?? I have used a hotspot for over three years............. my internet habits have not changed. Just the data being used is now unreal!!! I need internet access on the road and this has always worked before. HELP!!!

[2oldman]

From your own checking can you determine the day and time of day this is happening?

[catkins]

Messages from Verizon on data usage and my own checking of my data usage. Back to zero today and getting new MiFI. Guess I'll see if the MiFi was the issue. I have done all I know to do to chut down other items. Keep the suggestions coming and THANKS to all for taking the time to try and help.

[2oldman]

How are you being informed of this large data usage?

[strollin]

Win 8 has a setting in the properties for your wifi connection to set it as a mobile limited connection and will automatically restrict data usage such as windows updates and Live tiles.

[1rooster]

Try turning off your flash player. I noticed a drop in
data usage.Through out the day dial the check data number.

[jcpainter]

How does Comcast factor into the system?

[The_Texan]

Just do a Google search of Verizon hotspot "phantom usage". Lots of info out there.

[catkins]

I have turned off the Windowsauto updates, am in the middle of the desert in AZ where there are few people around and this has happened in multiple locations so is not someone using my MiFi so a password change would not help.

I am suspecting either the MiFI faulting hence the new one on the way and/or Comcast is such a data hog in the background with their imbedded photos. I will jusy have to watch like a hawk, turn off what I can as I use the computer all the while gritting my teeth in fear of this again.

Verizon did not give me any relief from all the extra data and of course my MiFi was out of warranty................ $$$$.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

We also just had a large data usage. My laptop notifies me when Windows updates so I knew what it was. This was within the last week.

[docj]

Windows 8 machines, in addition to Live Tiles (which can easily be turned off) do try to use the Cloud to backup data files. Normally that isn't a serious data user it could add up if you've told it to backup a large percentage of your files.

[Bill_Satellite]

The new Windows 8 machines have a number of "live tiles" that use data constantly and/or upload/update data to and from the "cloud". I also found that my phone (tied to the same data plan) was uploading every picture I took after installing Dropbox to my phone and computer. Dropbox is VERY bad if you leave the defaults in place and I burned through a bunch of data (over 20GB) before I could figure it out.

[hugemoth]

I had a similar problem when I switched from XP to W7 and a new laptop. I tried lots of different things and the only solution that worked was to go into the advanced firewall settings and block everything except one incoming and one outgoing connection that were required for it to connect. It's been working fine since.

[jcpainter]

M GO BLUE wrote:
Try changing the password on your hotspot as someone else may be logged on also...

If you are using a Verizon 4G JetPack, tap the HotSpot icon (while it's active) and it will show you who is logged in to your device.

[jcpainter]

If you use FireFox, you can install "AdBlock Plus" as an add in.

That will stop all the rotating ads on webpages that can really eat your data. I've read on forums that some folks have cut their data usage almost in half by doing this.

There are probably similar programs for other browsers.

Please share with us if you discover the culprit and a solution.

[M_GO_BLUE1]

Try changing the password on your hotspot as someone else may be logged on also...