Broadband usage that isn't yours

[chockbic]

How can this happen please? Could someone be hacking in?

Are you sure there is broadband usage that isn't yours?

Do you have wifi? If so it is possible someone else could use it, especially if there is no password.

Change the wifi password on the router and on any wifi extenders.

Make a list of all devices you have. Many will do updates in the background so will use data in standby mode.

Routers use a small amount of data to keep the line active, so if you go on holiday there will still be some usage.

How do you know what is being used? Is your ISP regularly informing you that your data usage is exceeding your limit? Can you negotiate a higher limit?

There's a card with some details and a password. Haven't a clue how to change it though.

You can check usage online and there's been spikes recently. Some use has been when no one is on the net.

Also connection has been dropping out. Wonder if there's a fault on the line?

Usage stats online can be several hours behind, so hard to know exact timings of when things happen.

Contact your ISP Support for how to change the wifi password, if you feel it has been compromised - such as someone coming into your home and now accessing it whilst standing outside your home. Got any teenagers?

The wifi code should be as random as you can make it. Write it on a sticker on bottom of the router (then make sure that nobody you don't know gets access to the router to take a look at the code).

Devices may do updates when not in use, things like Windows update, apps updates, podcast downloads, all sorts of things could be happening when a device is in standby. Some devices will do an update lookup in standby mode but not do the download until you are actively using the device.

What sort of broadband? ADSL will retrain the line following a disconnect, which can mean it speeds up/slows down, drops/reconnects so that it establishes the max stable speed of the line. Try to avoid turning router off.

Contact your ISP if you feel the line needs checking.

Thanks for the advice. Even if most of it goes over my non tech head

Have contacted broadband supplier as connection lost again earlier.

Who is your provider, chockbic?

Plusnet who said to go online for a test of the line.

Bit difficult when it doesn't work.

DH is going to call them later.

If the line doesn't work, how are you posting comments on this thread ?

If your router is powered up, then you should be able to view the user menu by putting
http://192.168.1.254

in your web browser. You will need to check the "admin password" information on the label on the router (I'm guessing here, it's years since I got my router from Plus.Net so thay may have changed a few things).

I can test the line when its working. Which defeats the object as it sometimes goes off and it can't be tested then.

So you say yes line is working...and they close the ticket.

Ask them to check your router PPP logines. So long as you are no longer turning router off daily (something I would always recommend not doing).

They should be able to see any disconnections which are happening at random times. If you feel you are up against a brick wall, I'd suggest posting your question on the Forum at ThinkBroadband.com (there's a Plusnet specific one).

There's a dedicated team who look on ThinkBroadband and elsewhere (Mon to Fri) and have more know-how than some of the people at the call centres.

The router is never turned off unless it is essential ie nowt is happening and red light persists.

Have run a scan and it said network was hacked. Done another one and it says no issues.

Bloody computers.

Last month I posted a similar thread (I'm also with Plusnet), apart from not having any problem with connection. I changed password, but this month I'm way over my agreed limit again - my normal usage is around half the limit, so no reason to increase this.
Would you tell me please, how did you run a scan to find out that network was hacked?

Update: just had confirmation from Plusnet that this month's usage was indeed around half my allowance (which leaves me wondering about last month, of course).
ThinkBroadband.com seems like a good idea, and I really hope you get this problem sorted soon.

I'd be very sceptical of a scan that said your network was hacked...What scan was it?

Avast home network scan. First it said personal details at risk. Then it said they aren't

Seems back on track at the moment but looking out for any spikes. BT have been in the village so there must be a problem somewhere.

Plusnet did confirm that a few thousand customers have been having problems recently - add BT in the village and not surprising life's suddenly difficult.
Thanks for scan info anyway.

Check your sky box if you have one. There is something that automatically downloads/ updates if you don't turn it off.

No sky box. Not round d these parts.

Yarp.