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


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.

You can export the WiFi connection information from any of your Windows computers. Open a command prompt, and enter:

Code:
 netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="%USERPROFILE%\Desktop"

That will save each WiFi connection's information to a separate XML file on your desktop.

Code:
Interface profile "Banana" is saved in file "C:\Users\LadyGodiva\Desktop\Wi-Fi-Banana.xml" successfully.

Interface profile "Mango" is saved in file "C:\Users\LadyGodiva\Desktop\Wi-Fi-Mango.xml" successfully.

Each file will have the WiFi password in it. After you reset your router, you can set the WiFi password back to this value, and your other devices will keep connecting just fine.

XML:
            <sharedKey>
                <keyType>passPhrase</keyType>
                <protected>false</protected>
                <keyMaterial>mine's redacted</keyMaterial>
            </sharedKey>


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?

If you're using an ASUS router, you can turn on Traffic Analyzer to see which clients are using the most bandwidth.

Screenshot 2026-08-18 062208.webpScreenshot 2026-08-18 063108.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2
In the comcast app you should be able to see a history of when the data spike occurred, and if you own their router -what device it was.
But regardless, a data cap on home internet like that is BS.

If there is another provider in your area I would go for that.

Comcast sucks. But I am guessing they have the monopoly in your area.

Have you switched to any new streaming services or upped a subscription to the next tier? Streaming "4k" content can definitely raise the usage.

I game, so I easily exceed a terabyte a month. If you have anyone in the house that games that is also a possibility.

But yes, you can look for and uninstall any free games or apps on your tv and see if the behavior stops.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProRyzen 7 5700 X3D64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws VRTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700 X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws V
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) 2560 x 1440 @ 170hz HDR
    Hard Drives
    2TB Samsung nvme ssd
    4TB Western Digital nvme ssd
    PSU
    CORSAIR RMx SHIFT Series™ RM750x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    Case
    CORSAIR 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech G213
    Mouse
    Logitech G203
    Internet Speed
    1.2gbps Fiber 😎
  • At a glance

    Chrome OSIntel Pentium Quad Core4GB LPDDR4
    Operating System
    Chrome OS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Chromebook
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB LPDDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14 Inch HD SVA anti glare micro edge display
    Hard Drives
    64 GB emmc
I truthfully have no idea what amount of data we use. There are two or three TV's pretty regularly running and most of the time they're streaming either Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Paramount+. Oh, and my granddaughter likes YouTube, so that's probably on quite a bit as well. Lots of times I'll come in and find several TV's streaming to an empty room.

I tried to find my Verizon FiOS data usage, but they sure hide it well! They kept telling me that FiOS has unlimited data with no speed caps. I already know that, I just want to see what I use a month, apparently that's more difficult than I imagined! They would be happy to show me my mobile phone usage except that I use T-Mobile! 😏
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168Intel Core i5 14500, 14th Generation64GB DDR4GeForce RTX 4060
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14500, 14th Generation
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M G P WIFI
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 45" Ultragear & Acer 24" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    5120x1440 & 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD (O/S)
    Silicon Power 2TB US75 NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD (backup)
    Crucial BX500 2TB 3D NAND (2nd backup)
    Seagate 4TB Ironwolf, rotating HDD archive files
    External off-line backup Drives: 2 NVMe 4TB drives in external enclosures
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W
    Case
    LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 E-ATX PC Case
    Cooling
    Lots of fans!
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168Intel Core i5 1440032GB DDR5Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek Embedded
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" HP 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 eD NAND PCIe SSD
    Samsung EVO 990 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
    Samsung 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
    Case
    Okinos Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • Nimo N171 17" Laptop, (Intel i3-1215U, 16GB RAM, 2TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    Acemagic Vista Mini PC V1 (Intel N150, 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    HP ENVY h8-1540t, (24GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD, Win11 Pro)
I truthfully have no idea what amount of data we use. There are two or three TV's pretty regularly running and most of the time they're streaming either Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Paramount+. Oh, and my granddaughter likes YouTube, so that's probably on quite a bit as well. Lots of times I'll come in and find several TV's streaming to an empty room.

I tried to find my Verizon FiOS data usage, but they sure hide it well! They kept telling me that FiOS has unlimited data with no speed caps. I already know that, I just want to see what I use a month, apparently that's more difficult than I imagined! They would be happy to show me my mobile phone usage except that I use T-Mobile! 😏
It's not just data use but those TV's use electricity. That's just $$ wasted. When I finally got rid of the last of my shiftless relatives, my power bill dropped by over $100 a month and that was at $0.05 per Kw/hr.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H2Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
EVGA home brew
CPU
Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v
Motherboard
EVGA X99 FTW K
Memory
32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
Sound Card
Asus Centurion true 7.1 headset. (5 speakers in each earpeice)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG C4 55"
Screen Resolution
4K 144hz
Hard Drives
Various models of SSDs ~10TB No HDDs installed.
PSU
be quiet! BN516 Straight Power 12-1000w 80 Plus Platinum
Case
Corsair 780T modified to dual 200mm intake fans
Cooling
Corsair H110i
Keyboard
Corsair K95 Platinum
Mouse
Corsair M65 RGB Elite
Internet Speed
50Mbs
It's not just data use but those TV's use electricity. That's just $$ wasted. When I finally got rid of the last of my shiftless relatives, my power bill dropped by over $100 a month and that was at $0.05 per Kw/hr.
Well, I obviously know that! 🙄 I turn them off it they're not being used, but I can't be everywhere all the time.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168Intel Core i5 14500, 14th Generation64GB DDR4GeForce RTX 4060
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14500, 14th Generation
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M G P WIFI
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 45" Ultragear & Acer 24" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    5120x1440 & 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD (O/S)
    Silicon Power 2TB US75 NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD (backup)
    Crucial BX500 2TB 3D NAND (2nd backup)
    Seagate 4TB Ironwolf, rotating HDD archive files
    External off-line backup Drives: 2 NVMe 4TB drives in external enclosures
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W
    Case
    LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 E-ATX PC Case
    Cooling
    Lots of fans!
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168Intel Core i5 1440032GB DDR5Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek Embedded
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" HP 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 eD NAND PCIe SSD
    Samsung EVO 990 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
    Samsung 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
    Case
    Okinos Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • Nimo N171 17" Laptop, (Intel i3-1215U, 16GB RAM, 2TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    Acemagic Vista Mini PC V1 (Intel N150, 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    HP ENVY h8-1540t, (24GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD, Win11 Pro)
You can check your monthly data usage by using the Xfinity app on your phone.

I used to use less than 200GB per month. However, since I am retired I watch a lot of Youtube videos and stream movies. My usage is much higher now.

Screenshot_20260818_202035_Xfinity3.webp

I have had Xfinity Internet since 2001. I have the Xfinity Gigabit Extra plan (1200Mbps/300Mbps). I have an Xfinity XB8 gateway.

I just read this...

All new Xfinity home internet plans (300 Mbps and above) automatically include unlimited data and equipment with no extra data caps. If you have an older legacy plan with a 1.2 TB monthly cap, you can upgrade your service or add xFi Complete to get unlimited data.

I used to have a 1.2 TB monthly data cap. Several years ago I enrolled in xFi Complete. Not only did it remove the data cap but my Xfinity gateway rental cost was removed.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB...Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 990 Evo Plus (2TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps/300Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DG.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung G50D IPS 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1440p/180Hz
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (2TB] M.2 NVME SSD
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (4TB) M.2 NVME SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 6
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Mouse
    Logitech M310 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Internet Speed
    2100 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
You can check your monthly data usage by using the Xfinity app on your phone.
I don't have the Verizon app on my phone, and I have no desire to add it. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry wants you to install an app on your phone, and I'm not interested! I do my computer stuff with a real keyboard, mouse, and two large monitors.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168Intel Core i5 14500, 14th Generation64GB DDR4GeForce RTX 4060
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14500, 14th Generation
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M G P WIFI
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 45" Ultragear & Acer 24" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    5120x1440 & 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD (O/S)
    Silicon Power 2TB US75 NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD (backup)
    Crucial BX500 2TB 3D NAND (2nd backup)
    Seagate 4TB Ironwolf, rotating HDD archive files
    External off-line backup Drives: 2 NVMe 4TB drives in external enclosures
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W
    Case
    LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 E-ATX PC Case
    Cooling
    Lots of fans!
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168Intel Core i5 1440032GB DDR5Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek Embedded
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" HP 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 eD NAND PCIe SSD
    Samsung EVO 990 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
    Samsung 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
    Case
    Okinos Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • Nimo N171 17" Laptop, (Intel i3-1215U, 16GB RAM, 2TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    Acemagic Vista Mini PC V1 (Intel N150, 16GB RAM, 1TB NVMe, Win11 Pro)
    HP ENVY h8-1540t, (24GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD, Win11 Pro)

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