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I have noticed that, when my computer is connected to my new Verizon Jetpack, it doesn't think it's on a metered connection. Therefore, very large downloads happen without asking first.
By comparison, when the same computer is connected via cellphone's tethering capability, such downloads do not automatically occur - I am always asked some variant on the question "You are on a metered connection - are you sure you want to proceed with this big download?".
How can I make the Jetpack appear to be a metered connection?
Are you using Windows or Mac? If Windows, which version of Windows are you on? 7, 8, 8.1, or 10?
Here is the Microsoft FAQ
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/metered-internet-connections-frequently-asked-questions
Ah, I didn't realize this was settable in the OS on the connecting machine. One of my machines is Windows 8.1, the other Windows 10. While I'm glad I can override the setting to get this right, I still find it surprising and disturbing that Windows is somehow able to detect that it's connecting to a tethered cell phone, but not to a Jetpack.
I would venture to guess that the vast majority of complaints about unasked-for large downloads when the Jetpack is left on overnight are due to this one issue. If Verizon changed the Jetpack to somehow identify itself to the OS *by default* as a metered connection, Verizon would probably have fewer unhappy customers.
In any case, I thank you for pointing me at the work-around.