I just began using the Mi-Fi unit two weeks ago but am told that we have already used 75 percent of our data allotment. How do we reduce our data usage. We have been keeping two laptops connected all of the time.
Hi, it's hard to answer your question the way you asked it. But I'm going to guess your new to mobile broadband and caps.
What Plan are you on? You may have to go up to a larger cap with two laptops running all the time. May just be no way around it.
But turn all the automatic updates off, windows, any other software or hardware updates. Except maybe for your virus scanning software. But as far as everything else, I have mine where it will ask me before downloading any updates.
Firefox and other browsers have add ons that can block flash from automatically loading. Flashblock is what I use in Firefox. It blocks all those annoying flash ads that pop up on web pages, and want load a video until I click on it. There are other programs that block other ads from loading. Just look for them in add ons for Firefox.
Keep your virus scanning software up to date. Always make sure you don't have a virus, malware, or adware sucking up your data on all your laptops. There are few good programs out there for scanning for melware and adware. Google ad ware removal and you'll get a list of useful programs. There is also the adblock add on program for firefox. But I have never used it.
These suggestions should help a lot.
when I had dial up I used Netzero "3g" which really wasn't 3g at all but just a optimized browser that would download images and some video at a lower resolution, sometimes real low. But I could click on a image or what video and watch it in higher quality if I wanted to. I wish Verizon would offer a program like that.
Just Adding the Fact that most of us out there with Families NEED LARGER DATA PLANS FOR INTERNET!!! 30 and 40 GB AT LEAST!!!!!!!! NOT 5 and 10 GB. We want to download, update, watch videos, upload pictures, skype and my 2 teen boys would like to play on their X BOX Again.... which they have not since the new data plans!!!!! PLEASE LARGER PLANS PLEASE!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!! Why should we NOT be able to use the internet to the fullest????????????? BeyondFrus
I agree wholeheartedly!!! At least they will let you buy extra now whereas they wouldn't before but those of us who live where we cannot get broadband are penalized from downloading movies and such. Ridiculous!
I, also have used 75% in a very short time. Not because I use that much. Something keeps downloading. Long ago, I turned off the automatic updates, even McAfee off, nothing helps. I have used the spyware removal thing. I shut off my Windows messenger. I don't know what else to try except pay my $175 fee to get out of Verizon and bunch it and go back to very slow telephone service. There has to be an answer if someone would figure it out. Microsoft has been no help.
all of those suggestions are fine, but the point you are missing is that nothing in over one year changed for me , not usage, not the way the MiFi was turned on/off or when...suddenly at end of November and thru December Gigs went through the roof...how in God's name would reading email, watching a couple of short youtube shorts, and reading research papers like i have done month after month cause 16Gigs to be used over a 3 hour period in a rural area with no one in the house but me and the closest neighbor a half mile away? Please please explain that to me since even one of the techs in the Verizon store here in Richmond told me in front of his fat, sniveling obnoxious manager at the Short Pump store that it would take 5 kids with 5 X-boxes furiously gaming in order to even come close to using that many Gigs in 3 hours. So please, in your expertise tell me how those 16 Gigs appeared if you know a better explanation. Certainly everyone here is willing to take it into account. Here is the suggested path after speaking to an internet fraud lawyer: to build your case: simply enough, a computer geek can print out every single minute of every single place you have visited on the web and when and how long for whatever time period, you can do this yourself through history but it will not give you the exact time frames and specific urls and codes as the computer geek can extract, OR you can put a keylogger on your own computer on a monthly fee pay and then every single time you use the computer you print out the log (which is what I am now doing). I also obtained the printout of the past 6 months so that I can compare and submit with a letter from the lawyer I contacted who does internet fraud.He believes this is certainly a case worth working up and then submitting to the newspapers for starts, along with a number of communications commissions. I suggest each of you also file a complaint with the FTC and submit your logs. You can contact the same lawyer group who is doing the class action for AT&T. The web is loaded with complaints of the exact same Verizon problem while Verizon keeps its employees telling clients like us to deny there is a problem with some of the devices. I have downloaded as many of those as well as evidence that the submissions on this site are not isolated issues. I would hope that each of the employees involved in the cover up, like Ms Kelly, will also be named for outright lying to us. I for one, am sick of the bullying from the Verizon store, from the useless manager to the smug woman behind the counter who insisted that this was somehow my fault. 16gigs in 3 hours...when I never went over 3-5 Gigs month after month after month for more than a year until November and December of 2011...so, this is my last post. There are definitive steps to take to present the case to Verizon...and after I gather all the specs, I will call the local TV channel that hosts a program (in our area called "12 on Your Side") and take it to the air. I want reimbursed for the now $400/month the MiFi is costing me.
I come close to limit in the last few days of the cycle. I have a girlfriend who like to stream. Leave's the web page open and walks off. Besides Microsoft updates. Adobe reader can have large updates, java plug in, flash, and google chrome. The video driver software, sound drive software there are a lot of non-Microsoft apps that quietly update. Some apps like to send anonymous statistic.
If you open a command prompt with no other apps open (browser) and type netstat hit enter. It will tell you the all connection. You may be able to determine what is using 192.168.1.1.
I notice and you would not think it to be much. But depending on what mode MiFI you have there is a setting that stops it from auto scanning for the best signal. I also shut it down when I'm not using it and I think that was my biggest saving in usage.
Ya know what, it would take ONE kid on an xbox about 2 hrs to run through the data. And I am being generous.
Have fun with your 15 minutes of fame on TV......if it ever makes it there.
,
Something to keep in mind is that even though there are ways to break down and monitor your traffic on your own machine, the data leak may have come from a different one. For example, if anyone else has connected to your MiFi and racked up a few HD movies from Neflix without your consent. If you have not changed the default wireless password a child or family member could have easily seen the password on the back and granted themselves access.
Your logs may proove that your main machine was clean and innocent, but without a log of connected devices to the MiFi over the billing cycle you may not be getting the whole picture. The MiFi itself does not log the connected users or how the network traffic breaks down among them. All the MiFi and VZW log is the total amount of traffic and the timestamp of the corresponding session.
Best of luck to you in your quest, but I'd investigate a little further before you start taking VZW to small claims court.
I don't think "fame" has anything to do with it. It has to do with the lack of integrity of a company that wants to deny there is a malfunctioning device and refuse to anty up to the responsibility. Having the proof has apparently made a difference. I produced the logs,and will continue to monitor as there is not one single keystroke or program that is not retrievable...and let those items speak for themselves. As for all the suggestions, not applicable. There is no one in my home but ME on a laptop that I use for one to two hours per night, where the closest home is about 1/4 mile away; I shut off both MiFi and laptop when not in use (I take the battery out), had the government computer guy who specializes in hacking totally go over each and every event on all drives and no one has so much as gotten into the registry or any computer program; lastly, there are no excessive programs running in the background. There is quite simply the occasional defective MiFi device. These devices are indeed offered for those of us with no option in rural areas (this was Verizon's suggestion when I moved from the city to where I am now a year ago), no cable available here, and Hughes net (or whatever) has been tried by neighbors and they have found the satellite connections to be very poor in our heavily wooded areas. So, the data collected thus far for the past 3 months shows no amount of usage even close to what Verizon is charging was used in the data.
As for the kid on the x-box...don't know a thing about gaming, only know what the rep in the Verizon store told me about racking up 16 Gig in less than 3 hours!! But then his manager was not working with all the lights on in the attic,either, as he agreed!! so perhaps that Short Pump,Va. store just needs someone like the guy on this forum who has uber knowledge to teach them a little something (scary how little knowledge they really have according to your feedback, or , getting back to that integrity and lying issue )..I'll give you that as you seem quite knowledgeable, probably personal usage or kids of your own. Thanks for that, I will remember that when/ if I encounter that same rep again. However, for the time being, my own situation has come under control with a new device.
To that end, I have had a good conversation with a Verizon rep via the phone, and a new device has been provided...and guess what?? usage is now back to normal with ONLY changing the device per the suggestion of the government geek. But we will continue to log in the total usage (which includes any and all background programs running...again, none of those had changed over the past year). My total computer usage is usually offline, so we will see what happens!
and, while nothing ever comes of class action lawsuits,I will gladly leave the legalities to the group who has apparently already started the class action preliminaries in the midwest against Verizon...thank you to the person who sent me the link as an FYI. It appears this forum is not the only place people are complaining about defective devices. I think the overall message is not to just lie down and say it is ok to be charged $300-$400/month for a few hours per night of checking email or reading research ...maybe Budone can afford that, that's great. I cannot. I appreciate the suggestions, checked them all out, and the long and short of it...I really did have a defective device!
I saw this forum after I had posted
in Broadband & Netbook Community
similar subject & post for some more information and feedback
You can moniter your usage more carefully, get a peplink balance 20 or 30 see screenshot you can monitor by day, month, hour and assign names to see what is download and uploading.
[IMG]http://i49.tinypic.com/1z90ra.png[/IMG]
You can get the gear here:
http://3gstore.com/product/2808_peplink_balance_20.html
There are relatively simple bandwidth monitors that might help you keep track of usage. Networx is a free example http://www.softperfect.com/products/networx/
Connecting two laptops 24/7 and you used up 75% of? 5GB
Are they windows systems? As I can see the variety of windows & various maintenance updates for AntiVirus, Firewall etc that run & update whenever they deem fit, eat up a GB a month across two systems.
Even without any audio or video streaming, a fairly connected person, spending their time online at night can go through a GB a week, just getting emails and browsing the internet. So, 1/GB week x2 people x2 weeks and you're at 4GB out of the 5 allowed, if you are on the same plan as I am.
First place I'd look at is disabling a variety of automatic software updates, and do those when you are connected to home broadband, or other. Get FireFox if you don't already have it and look at adblock plus and other tools to minimize some data use from advertising etc. Maybe block Flash so you're very aware that flash video / ... is going to eat some MB.
I have tried several times to reply to you with a THANK YOU for sharing this
I'm having a hard time staying connected and posting
Check in here if you get a chance -- and any feedback would be appreciated-
even if you don't 'see' a reply
https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/827045
Re: Bandwidth Usage excessive????? HELP https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/827043#827043
and maybe here too
I have tried several times to reply to you with a THANK YOU for sharing this kind of smart,tech info
Check in here again if you get a chance -- and any feedback would be appreciated-
Re: mifi data theft, fraud by verizon class action lawsuit 2012 https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/805945#805945
also in reply to the 2 XP systems- they never run at same time - and I like your kind of thinking re:auto updates etc---- I don't allow- yet I'm thinking that that is also a part of some of the nightmare- with VZ Because IT does update - and I can't make it stop-
I also think that there are multiples running.....
if you do take a thoughtful look at my complex situation,
I would really appreciate any technical feedback
the 75% of 5 GB reply isn't for me---
I'm the one with the unlimited plan- and massive data transfers coming thru
my verizon connection -
> please see recent posts
because you sound knowledgable - and this thing is most definately working with Flash!!! even when disabled
and I uninstalled ALL FLASH and it recreated shockwave- but seems to have disappeared from my last run of Adobe uninstallers
i LOVE firefox and my adblock plus- I don't dare launch it- I have very important open tabs--- and more
I don't know if this is in my firefox
Networx is what I just got this week--- I saw with my own eyes the crazy Verizon data trackings
and tried to connect with you....
I have tried several times to reply to you with a THANK YOU for sharing this kind of info
Networx
If you use Firefox. there is a handy add-on called "Verizon Monitor" that will check and update your usage. I've noticed in the last few weeks that the updates have been much more infrequent than in the previous months. This suggests that Verizon has changed it's data usage update system. Whether the change is system wide or is limited to my area I can't say.
I WENT THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE WHEN I REPLACED A DEFECTIVE MODEM. A LETTER TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELPED.
cbj2248,
Yesterday, July 25th, I received text messages that my Jetpack had used up 50% of the 10GB in our plan. That was at day 13 of the 31 day billing cycle. Then, about an hour later, I received another text message that we had used up 75% of our 10 GB. Then one and half hours later, I received another text message telling me we had used up 90% of our 10GB allotment for the current billing cycle. What the...?
I logged into the Jetpack, and looked through the logs. All of the IP addresses I found were mine. I have a small network of four wireless devices connecting to the Jetpack, and there were no other devices in the log. Still, the incredible bandwidth disappearing act went on.
One of my devices is a WiFi Ranger. It allows my two IP phones to connect to the web since it has WWAN capabilities and four Ethernet ports. I thought that perhaps someone was hacking into the WiFi Ranger to watch HD videos (my office is in a building that also has condos in it). I use the Jetpack to allow my small office of two laptops, a wireless printer, and two Cisco VoIP phones to communicate with the outside world. We normally use 9 GB per month, but to see half of our 10GB go up in smoke in less than a few hours really pissed me off.
I figured that someone was somehow connecting to the WiFI ranger. It turns out that the Ranger has a public access feature as well as a private wifi feature. It also has a commonly known Public Access Passphrase, which I did not realize at the time. So I changed it. Then later, I disabled the SSID broadcast on the WiFi Ranger to keep it from being discovered. We did not need the WiFi it provides since I only really wanted the use the Ethernet ports for the phones.
At the same time, I decided to set MAC address filtering up on the Jetpack. I retrieved all of the MAC addresses of all of the devices that would be connecting at some point, and added them to the filter list. The Jetpack rebooted to make the list active, and then Voila! the bandwidth stealing stopped immediately.
So, the moral of the story is use MAC address filtering. Its possible that someone may have hijacked your bandwidth by hacking into your Jetpack (seems pretty easy based on Google searches I conducted). It is not completely foolproof, but usually good enough to stop the (edited to comply with VZW Community ToS) out there that are constantly trying to to get wifi for free. (Edited to comply with VZW Community Tos) , every one of them.
Good luck.
Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator (C)
Thanks for sharing your story Code!
I'm happy you were able to isolate the problem before it got out of control. We see so many horror stories about folks who have $200.00 + in overages out of the blue and can't seem to understand how it is possible.
Changing the MAC and hiding the SSID will prevent most novice and moderate moochers from connecting to your devices. It is a very appropriate solution to your situation.
My apologies to the Moderator. They had to comment out some pretty bland adjectives I used to describe hackers in general in my last post. In any case, I have a question to ask Verizon: Why did you release a device, like the 4620L Jetpack, that is so easy hacked? The people that hacked mine cost me half of my 10GB data limit in one day. We use 9 GB during an entire billing cycle, and yet, in one day, 5 GB is used up by someone hacking into my Jetpack! Yes, it was secured, but I made the mistake, as it turns out, of not changing the default, but randomly generated, PSK. During my research, it turns out that the very hack that allows hackers to get in is helped by the SSID of the Jetpack itself.
ADVICE: Please change the SSID of the device immediately upon powering it up. Do not allow it to be the default settng, because the hack takes advantge of the four character hex code in the SSID label of the device. Also, the word "Secure" is in the SSID, which is another dead give away that it is a Novatel device that can be hacked.
Since Verison does not TELL you to do these things, it is somewhat suspicious. It seems they LIKE IT when the very equipment that we buy from them can be so easy manipulated by others. It means they make more money becasue at $10 per GB for overages, they reap the benefit. Please change the SSID label of your Jetpack, and use MAC filtering as soon as you put the device online. You will protect yourself from most hacks.
Verizon, please tell me how I can get a refund for the 5GB I lost in one day, and the extra $60 I will have to pay you in overages before I could stop the moronic hackers from stealing more!?
I was using Galaxy Tab for internet for a few months with a little overage. My bills were just over $100. I got the jetpack and my usage was already 3/4 a day into it. I don't stream movies or music. I use it for the same things I was using the Tab, homework which is a small data transfer from my computer to the college website, or I use it for F/B or Yahoo. How does using the jetpack change that from using the Tab? If next month is this bad, gonna bite the bullet and turn it back in and pay off whatever they want me to pay. Verizon sux and everyone should stay clear of them by a wide berth....
I have the same problem. I had the old little USB device and one day was in a Version store and they told me that I could 'upgrade' to this MiFi where 5 things can be on at a time. They checked my usage and said, oh you are not using much. Well for almost a year there was no probem and then all of a sudden it has just gotten out of control. Now when we first got this device we were both on line more, I played games and on and on but then starting about last March it started going over the limited amount. I went into Verzion and asked why? Was told I we just use more than we think. HA This month we have gone over FOUR times and have not used it much at all. I feel like we are being raped by Verizon and they do not listen to what you tell them, they just check their little data non-sense and tell you that you are the problem. No Verizon you are the problem and you are getting too big for your britches and I am changing companies when my contracts are all up. Never thought I would do this as we have been with Verizon for years and have been very happy up until now......but this is huge and since we live in an RV this has been so nice to have our own wifi. But not at the amounts they are charging for data that I know we are not using. There is simply no way.
I am so sadden by this........I have always expected Verizon to be an honest and caring company and now I just see them as dishonest and greedy.
Just got the newest version of the Jetpack. I'm in the boondocks of Colorado with an external antenna, get five bars -60dBm and it took five minutes to load this page. I'm in a 3G area.
I'm getting throttled.
For two years I got perfect fast performance with a USB760 and external antenna. Then two years to the date my speeds went to dial-up.
Now I'm getting one good week, one SLOW week.
I have a 5GB program and have never used 5GB. Last month I used 3.8 GB.
This is just unacceptable. I never know when it is going to work correctly.
I don't believe anything Verizon says. Had a family member that worked in customer service and that family member quit because got tired of lying to customers on a daily basis.
Yeah. I downloaded NetWorx because of your suggestion. To date it shows vast differences between what it displays and what Verizon shows. Verizon's is much higher. From Dec. 24 to Jan 2 my total on NetWorx up and down was 802.8 MB. I took out Jan. 3 usage because it is continuing. I will go back and count Verizon's usage total and will report the difference.
I also noticed that two days after Christmas Verizon showed me with no data usage. NetWorx, however did. Then a few days later, I checked again. This time Verizon showed me with usage. Obvious timing problem(s). Can this contribute to excess data usages?
Do not track me is a free blocking program. Do a search. While reading these posts again I clicked on it. It said I had 8680 blocks to date, the last being Verizonwireless.com! Facebook is also very bad about trying to track you. Wade
I compared Verizon's data usage and NetWorx data usage in MBs for the 24th of December, 2012, to January 02, 2013.
The NetWorx was on and tracking on the 23rd of December, but didn't get a whole days usage, so I threw that day out. I also did not use today's figures because it is on-going.
Verizon usage:
12/24 349.38
12/25 202.29
12/26 36.16
12/27 243.08
12/28 340.24
12/29 232.6
12/30 200.3
12/31 289.06
01/01 127.9
01/02 112.87
Total 2246.85
NetWorx usage:
12/24 249.0
12/25 94.3
12/26 37.4
12/27 56.2
12/28 120.0
12/29 30.2
12/30 36.1
12/31 33.1
01/01 48.0
12/02 85.5
Total 875.3
Anyone know why the differences? Anybody ever check NetWorx's figures with another data counter program? Wade
Hey, I didn't know there were so many complaints against data overage charges. Take a look at this thread:
https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/785730?start=0&tstart=0
Wade
Today I received my Verizon bill for my WiFi Hot Spot. Boy was I shocked. Verizon charged me for 9 GB of Data. As of 9:00 p.m. the night before my cycle period ended I was only at 5.8 GB. Our Household went to bed. Did we use 3 GB of data in our sleep. How is this even possible? I kept close watch over my data on the my verizon site as I had never gone over monthly data allowance before. Since my allowance was 5.0GB, and I noticed I had already gone over, I checked my verizon website everyday to keep any eye on on the data I was using, I was trying to keep under 6MB. I thought I did and according to the estimate verizon website gave me I did I was at 5.8. This is the first month of billing with MIFI Hotspot. What a shocker 9GB data!!! What could habe happened???
Verizon rep. kept referring to the data usage on their site as only an estimate. Beware: Estimates of Verizon's data usage may be 3 GB off. After inquiring about details of usage they just said everything looked to be in order. What a sham!!!! Of course the rep kept referring to their increase data plan. What a salesman!!
Welcome to Verizon hell, suelit.
About the only thing you can do, as of now, is file an FCC complaint, write Daniel S. Mead, President and CEO of Verizon Wireless at One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920-1025.
You can also keep calling and listen to Verizon's service reps continually tell you that Verizon is not at fault and your sleeping family is the problem.
I have contacted a law firm here in Alabama trying to get some action, but so far they are investigating and say it will be 90 days before they are through. That letter was dated Dec. 19, 2012.
Contact every one you know on the social media sites and tell them your story. I don't think anyone in America believes that a company like Verizon could be allowing such terrible customer relations except the ones of us who have experienced it. Go to the other links and share your experience. Wade
I just wanted to chime in on this thread. I'm having the same type of problem that I'm reading about on here. I've been a customer (MiFi) for over 2 1/2 years and never had much of a problem until the last couple of months. I have started limiting our use and turning off the device when we aren't actually using it (used to leave it on all the time with no problems), and I'm still having problems with huge data usage jumps for no reason. They are almost always in the 700-800 MB range. I'll check MyVerizon and the usage will be fine for several days then all of a sudden it will take a huge jump for no reason! Very frustrating! I was surprised to find this forum and find out that I'm not alone in this matter!!
Hey, jimailing. It seemed for a while that Verizon had cleaned up their act, but I guess not. Put your cursor over my name, Ridge Rider, and it will bring up a box of information. Click on the "Follow" box and I should get a message from Verizon saying I can accept you, then we can direct message each other. I can tell you some of the actions some posters have taken. Various results, so far. Wade
Yes RidgeRacer Verizon is up to something.
Let me ask you if you think Verizon is always trying to rip people off why are you still a customer? If I kept going to Burger King and I kept getting the runs at some point I would stop giving them my business.
