Someone Hijacked my data !!!!

[DHF2]

Can someone explain to me how I can use 6G of data in 1 1/2 hours when my computer is not being used.  I have a Mac book air.  and a 4G LTE hotspot.

[spitxfire]

Streaming movies, music, tv blah blah blah, is it password protected?

[DHF2]

It is password protected.  No movies, no music, no tv and my nearest neighbor is at least 150 yards away.

[dimap52]

Was the HotSpot turned off during the times this data usage was logged? One issue that makes usage hard to quantify is that verizon provides START times for a data session but no END times in the My Usage data entries. So I turn OFF my mobile data on my phone when I am done to give a rate of data consumption per session, noting the time I turn it off. In such cases, my data usage has been more or less what I believe to be accurate.

If the device was NOT turned off, there are several possibilities, assuming you are not using your device.

1 Your SSID is broadcast and password hacked by a drive-by spoofer. Not much Verizon can do about that.

2 Data packets aren't being properly de-aggregated and routed to the correct iP address. In other words, the HotSpot is tallying packets that don't belong to you. Considering the sheer volume of threads there are on this forum concerning this issue, I believe this is a likely possibility, though I have no idea how this could be proven and verified. In any case, this would be on Verizon and/or the device manufacturer. rr

3 Of course, there is th possibility that the data is being consumed by the hotspot user but the data logs are not being delivered in real time, delayed by other cell tower data aggregators, whatever.

I don't know if these devices are in a "sleep" state when turned OFF or not, in which case they can still ping the towers and #2 above could still be a possibility, since many posters claim their devices are turned OFF when these data spikes are recorded.

As for me, i stay away from these routers because I don't trust them.

[spitxfire]

Yeah, that's why I don't like them.  And being pasword protected doesn't always mean it's secure, if it's a weak password, etc.  But the previous poster was correct, if it's off if any data is being used it should be very minimal.

[vzw_customer_support]

Good evening DHF2!

When an explanation is what you're looking for, you can bet I've got you covered. After all, we're always on the job and ready to solve cases like this.

Now, there's no doubt that 6GB of data in only an hour of a half is most certainly a lot of usage. And I'd be scratching my head to if my computer were not in use during this time. So, let's get to the bottom of things. May I first start by asking if you do any large file streaming (movies, music, etc.)? Those are the big drivers are data usage. Additionally, did you verify the usage online http://bit.ly/xB4iTc ? You can go to "View Usage" to see data usage statistics and longer than usual sessions (some usage may be delayed in reporting). Finally, as some of our fellow community members replied, are you password protected? Not only is your privacy important but we want to make sure you and only you get to use your hotspot.

EvanO_VZW
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[DHF2]

It is password protected.  No movies, no music, no tv and my nearest neighbor is at least 150 yards away.  I don't know about verify usage but when I go to My verizon and check data usage for that device, it showed that and other usage on the device while not using the device.  I was informed by Verizon tech that the device did receive that much data.  They could not or would not tell me where the data came from or where the data went to (such as my laptop, the only one that uses the device, some other computer or space aliens).  The laptop is a Mac Air.  When not in use the laptop is closed up and to go on line again must reconnect to the device (Jetpack 4G LTE).  In viewing my data usage, even when the laptop is closed up, there is data usage about every 1/2 hour according to data usage.  I am at the point now that I try to unplug and turn off the device when not in use but that is a inconvenience that I really don't wish to continue and that does not guarantee that when I am using the device that it is just data that I am using.

[DHF2]

In viewing my data usage, even when the laptop is closed up, there is data usage about every 1/2 hour according to data usage   .Can someone explain to me what this is?

[John_Getzke]

Just because your laptop is closed does not mean that it is offline.  It might still be chatting with your hotspot in the background without your knowledge.

Most of the time when big chunks of data are consumed without the users knowledge an update service is to blame.  The update is running in the background while your computer is network connected and trying to conduct business as normal.  A poorly designed update service may recieve a bad file and have to start all over again instead of picking up where it left off.  It is this constant attempt to download that is racking up your bill.

Best thing you can do is to power down your hotspot when it is not in use.  Atleast until you can get the data leak under control.  A minor inconvenience is better than paying for overages.  Keep checking your data use logs on Verizon and see if there is a pattern as to when the usage spikes and valleys.  For example once a day in the morning, every tuesday, once a week on the weekends, etc.  You can continue to narrow down the options from there.

I'd also suggest performing a reset on your device as it may be suffering from a temporary issue with your local towers.  All hotspots should have a small reset button under the back door that you can press with a paper clip.  That way if your updates are attempted, they will hopefully complete and stop bothering you until next time.

[#10]

Password protected doesn't mean secure. What protection are you using? Using WEP or using the default password is almost not like having any protection at all. Also 150 yards is nothing. Wireless N can have a range of nearly double that.