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Question

Bandwidth keeps spiking/internet goes out for some device

by Oct 3, 2016 8:09PM PDT

For the past week and a half, the bandwidth has been spiking and this is apparently because of my computer. My family says that I'm being piggybacked on and I need to get rid of my computer but I don't think that's the problem. The thing about the bandwidth is that my computer is taking most of it up but I don't do anything much more than browse verified websites so I don't know what's happening.

Furthermore, the Apple TV (which is new) and my Mother's laptop regularly lose connection for a few minutes at a time but everyone else just runs slowly. My computer also has slow pings but I haven't really noticed.

Recent events:

Cable television was dropped.

My brother moved in and brought his laptop, phone, tablet and Apple TV with him.


Virus scans on my computer run clean (ran them multiple times), I don't visit shady websites, I've got a scriptblocker and adblocker running at all times on my browser and my regular websites are really just Tumblr and Youtube. I did download Discord about two months ago but I don't think that's related (they think the application allowed people to piggyback one me).

Also, I already tried resetting the router and modem and just factory reset the modem. But even if that does work, I still need to tell them what the problem is theorized to be.

Anyway, thanks to anyone that can help and I'm willing to provide any information necessary to fix the problem.

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Answer
Using windows 10?
by Oct 3, 2016 8:28PM PDT

If so, better set it to limited bandwidth so the system knows not to use you as a pass through for others downloading updates, etc. If I was on a limited bandwidth system, I'd definitely use Linux (Mint, Zorin, Ubuntu) instead of a windows 10 "sharing" type of Operating System.

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Windows 7
by LossPessimissim Oct 3, 2016 8:31PM PDT

Actually I'm still using Windows 7, haha. My Mother's using 7 and my brother and sister (two tablets, two phones, two computers) are using Mac. My Mother's phone is a Samsung and this is my only electronic.

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Is your wireless secured?
by James Denison Oct 3, 2016 8:40PM PDT

Anyone live nearby, such as a friend of your children, who might be connecting to your wireless signal? I'd at least power it down by percentage till it could be used OK in the home but use laptop and test outside to see how far it can be accessed there. Most routers to have power settings in them for how much to use for the wireless signal. Also check the router's network connections at it's main page and see if anyone's been on there other than at your home. However, since you said it seems your computer is overusing the bandwidth, then you really should concentrate on it. If all else fails, back up your documents and images and reload from scratch, something might be on it that's not being detected by AV yet.

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Recently, yes.
by LossPessimissim Oct 3, 2016 8:49PM PDT

The wireless was recently secured but it didn't make much of a difference.

And okay, I'll try a factory reset if all else fails. Currently, my brother reports that my computer when active takes up a lot of bandwidth but while my internet was off at one point, apparently a lot was still being taken. Saying that, I think I should run the test again by seeing if things improve by disconnecting my internet.

Thanks.

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Is this by cable or satellite?
by James Denison Oct 3, 2016 9:28PM PDT

Someone may have tapped into the cable lines outside. More rare now since analog TV when to digital, but easy enough for someone to tap into a cable and run a modem that is seen as actively supported by that ISP.

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Yes, we run cable.
by LossPessimissim Oct 3, 2016 9:31PM PDT

Yes, we run cable. How can I see if someone's doing that?

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You can't...
by James Denison Oct 3, 2016 9:47PM PDT

...unless it was done along the line between your house and the pole. If it's done on the pole, only your ISP could go up there and confirm. However, it's JUST your computer registering all this usage, so THAT'S where you need to concentrate. In that your brother is correct. Take it off line, or can boot to a LIVE Linux CD, DVD, or USB flashdrive and run that for awhile and see if the usage drops. You can create those free with ISO from Linux system, or buy one fairly cheap at osdisc.com site, which is the least expensive and contributes back to that community. I use Linux Mint 17 myself. It's easy to use. Here's my system, I did some screen captures in past of it.

http://glenburniemd.net/CNET/Linux17/index.html

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I'll try that
by LossPessimissim Oct 4, 2016 9:13AM PDT

Oh okay, thank you. I'll try doing that and see if the problem resolves.

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