Exceeded my data limit for last four months, how to stop that. Data leak somewhere?

PhilB · Aug 16, 2026

My wife and I use Comcast for Internet, with a monthly data allowance of 1200 GB. For about the last four months, we have exceeded that limit. This month, on August 16th, I got a notice that we have already used 75% of that data allowance. It seems that the increased data consumption is accelerating. We haven't changed our usage patterns, so I suspect a data link.

Both systems have scanned clean for viruses, malware, etc. What else should I look at?

I'm also considering switching to an unlimited data plan from Comcast but I still need to find and plug this leak.

OAT · Aug 16, 2026

PhilB said:
My wife and I use Comcast for Internet, with a monthly data allowance of 1200 GB. For about the last four months, we have exceeded that limit. This month, on August 16th, I got a notice that we have already used 75% of that data allowance. It seems that the increased data consumption is accelerating. We haven't changed our usage patterns, so I suspect a data link.

Both systems have scanned clean for viruses, malware, etc. What else should I look at?

I'm also considering switching to an unlimited data plan from Comcast but I still need to find and plug this leak.

I really doubt you have a leak, this is not water; it does not go because the tap is on, unless someone else it using the tap.
Such data use can only come for high Resolution content viewing like 4K movies, any subscriptions you might think of?
Look for AppNetworkCounter from Nirsoft. It will show you the traffic.

KevTech · Aug 16, 2026

PhilB said:
My wife and I use Comcast for Internet, with a monthly data allowance of 1200 GB.

You using Comcast gateway or your own modem and router?

I would start with changing the wifi password.

You should also change to one of the new plans as they all have unlimited data now.

https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/data

KevTech · Aug 16, 2026

OAT said:
Look for AppNetworkCounter from Nirsoft. It will show you the traffic.

Don't think that will help if it is someone stealing the wifi.

OAT · Aug 16, 2026

KevTech said:
Don't think that will help if it is someone stealing the wifi.

You have zero evidence of that.
And it was a suggestion, not a request.

Marie SWE · Aug 16, 2026

@PhilB
It's really easy to see if someone using the Wifi...
just log in to the router and look on connected devices. both normal wifi network and guest wifi network if that is activated.

Also open windows resource monitor and look on network.. it will show all processes that connecting to the network and also the data flow (bits/second)
Smart TV's... i have no idea if they can show the network traffic in some menu..

It has newly been revealed by Gamers Nexus that when you install some free apps to avoid ads, you become a residential proxy, (i dont remember in what video he talked about this)

Some consumer routers do have logs and monitoring to see what Mac address(device) is connecting to what IP's. some models might be able to see the data-flow.... But I'm out of touch on consumer routers as i not have used them the last 17 years.

Depending on how tech-savvy you are, you can hook up a traffic sniffer between the router and the WAN if you can't pinpoint what device causing the traffic.

gunrunnerjohn · Aug 16, 2026

Marie SWE said:
@PhilB
It has newly been revealed by Gamers Nexus that when you install some free apps to avoid ads, you become a residential proxy, (i dont remember in what video he talked about this)

I just read that somewhere recently, that would be a bummer.

Marie SWE · Aug 16, 2026

gunrunnerjohn said:
I just read that somewhere recently, that would be a bummer.

This with residential proxy have been a thing for a long time, but not really a wide usage.. also Tor-exit nodes works the same, where a user of Tor can set up its own exit node.

I have a feeling/theory the explosion of this Residential Proxys is that a lot of websites have started to block known VPN IP's.. so this is the new workaround to be able to proxy your traffic through a real "home"IP in another country to go round geo-blocking.. brows youtube without need for signing in in some regions.

The real problem begins when someone doing something really illegal online and you will be the one the police is doing a raid at.
So setting up tor-exit nodes and residential proxy is stupid for real, to let other use...

PhilB · Aug 16, 2026

Marie SWE said:
This with residential proxy have been a thing for a long time, but not really a wide usage.. also Tor-exit nodes works the same, where a user of Tor can set up its own exit node.

I have a feeling/theory the explosion of this Residential Proxys is that a lot of websites have started to block known VPN IP's.. so this is the new workaround to be able to proxy your traffic through a real "home"IP in another country to go round geo-blocking.. brows youtube without need for signing in in some regions.

The real problem begins when someone doing something really illegal online and you will be the one the police is doing a raid at.
So setting up tor-exit nodes and residential proxy is stupid for real, to let other use...

As the OP here, I don't even think of doing anything illegal. I dont' need to use a VPN.

pseymour · Aug 16, 2026

PhilB said:
As the OP here, I don't even think of doing anything illegal. I dont' need to use a VPN.

I don't think Marie was suggesting you were doing something illegal. But if there is someone on your network or using one of your PCs as a proxy, you are the one that looks guilty to law enforcement, not them.

Like whoever was messing with the in-flight WiFi on Delta recently should have sniffed the traffic a little and then spoofed someone else's MAC address, not used their own. Not that I would think of doing such things.

Delta probes Wi-Fi deauth attack on flight carrying DEF CON attendees

Delta Air Lines is investigating an unauthorized Wi-Fi network that appeared aboard a flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta carrying passengers who had attended the DEF CON hacker convention.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

Klaver7 · Monday at 12:29 AM

PhilB said:
My wife and I use Comcast for Internet, with a monthly data allowance of 1200 GB. For about the last four months, we have exceeded that limit. This month, on August 16th, I got a notice that we have already used 75% of that data allowance. It seems that the increased data consumption is accelerating. We haven't changed our usage patterns, so I suspect a data link.

Both systems have scanned clean for viruses, malware, etc. What else should I look at?

I'm also considering switching to an unlimited data plan from Comcast but I still need to find and plug this leak.

Under Settings / Windows updates - Do you have this disabled:

if not it can cost you a lot of bandwidth !

Marie SWE · Monday at 4:14 PM

PhilB said:
As the OP here, I don't even think of doing anything illegal. I dont' need to use a VPN.

as @pseymour pointed out.. i didn't mean you doing it.. a proxy/exit node is when others on the internet is using your connection to tunnel their traffic.. so you become theirs "VPN tunnel".. so everything they do thru your connection is all your IP.. so if they try to hack NSA and you dont have a clue of whats going on... its you that will get a visit from the police as the NSA sees your IP in their firewall.

So its not you using a proxy/VPN... its they using/abusing you...... (if it is that you have generating all traffic).

Marie SWE · Monday at 4:20 PM

pseymour said:
I don't think Marie was suggesting you were doing something illegal. But if there is someone on your network or using one of your PCs as a proxy, you are the one that looks guilty to law enforcement, not them.

Like whoever was messing with the in-flight WiFi on Delta recently should have sniffed the traffic a little and then spoofed someone else's MAC address, not used their own. Not that I would think of doing such things.

Delta probes Wi-Fi deauth attack on flight carrying DEF CON attendees

Delta Air Lines is investigating an unauthorized Wi-Fi network that appeared aboard a flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta carrying passengers who had attended the DEF CON hacker convention.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

I spoof my Mac addresses on daily bases.. My firewall identity out is everything from a printer to an dishwasher to a whatever..

Its to make it harder for hackers, if they manage to do a deep scan, its harder to hack when you dont know the brand or model so you cant look up CVE's to exploit the model in question.

PhilB · Tuesday at 1:15 AM

As the OP, I just had the disconcerting experience of trying to log in to my ASUS Mesh Router, and merde alors!, I forgot the dang password. So I have to do a reset. If I change the password, then I have to update 1 desktop, 3 (or more) laptops. 2 iPhones, 2 iPads. the home security camera, and probably other stuff And of course, any decent password has to be long and a random mixture of characters.

Yes, I'm hosed, whatever I do.

Using Nir Sofer's program over a 24 hour period, I didn't see anything odd. But I want to put this problem to bed, and if it means ensuring the pain of updating all these devices, I don't have a choice, do I?

PhilB · Tuesday at 1:24 AM

Klaver7 said:
Under Settings / Windows updates - Do you have this disabled:

View attachment 179903

if not it can cost you a lot of bandwidth !

No I had that enabled.

idgat · Tuesday at 1:36 AM

PhilB said:
1 desktop, 3 (or more) laptops. 2 iPhones, 2 iPads. the home security camera, and probably other stuff

With that lot I'm not surprised you're exceeding your data limit !

I think the unlimited option suggested above is an excellent idea.

PhilB · Tuesday at 1:37 AM

idgat said:
With that lot I'm not surprised you're exceeding your data limit !

Sure but until a few months ago, I never exceeded the limit. And we haven't change our usage patterns.

idgat said:
I think the unlimited option suggested above is an excellent idea.

idgat · Tuesday at 1:46 AM

PhilB said:
And we haven't change our usage patterns.

I suspect something, indeed, has changed, albeit unbeknownst

Who is using all these devices? What monitoring/controls (personal management and/or electronic/software) are used on usage?

jimbo45 · Tuesday at 5:06 AM

If you use things like Netflix / prime video ensure you EXIT them before shutting down computer or doing other tasks -- these services can keep transmitting data (and 4K movies / series can swallow up a lot of data quickly) if you don't terminate them when finished viewing. Series in particular play the net episode automatically unless stopped.

Cheers
jimbo

Try3 · Tuesday at 5:21 AM

PhilB said:
I forgot the dang password

I write down all my passwords.

All the best,
Denis

Exceeded my data limit for last four months, how to stop that. Data leak somewhere?

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