Excessive network traffic -

[Ed Greshko]

Bob Goodwin wrote:
> 
> 
> My ISP limits my usage to 17 gB per 30 days and updates this number
> continuously, the exact manner by which this is computed is n unknown to
> me and possibly to them too?  But I have been fighting this problem for
> a number of weeks now having been warned once that I had exceeded the
> 80% point [13.6 gB].  We have used the system pretty much without
> concern for usage for more than a year so this is new.
> 
> I have four computers connected to the LAN with internet access.  This
> F7 box, an Apple Mac, and two MS XP computers.
> 
> One of the XP boxes is my teen aged [15 yrs, twins] grandson's.  In the
> process of trying to get usage under control I had physically removed
> their access device [Linksys WET11].  After getting our usage reduced to
> about 6 gB from 15+ not long ago I gave them back the internet device
> and enabled access to iTunes this last weekend since one boy wanted to
> download some music.  I left the Netgear [WGR614v6] router unblocked for
> about an hour and they collected what ever it was they wanted and I
> restored it to blocked again.
> 
> What else they did with the computer, what sites they visited, I don't
> know but they are limited by what I've blocked in the router and some
> parental control software I also subscribe to.
> 
> However once they were allowed back on line it appears that our usage
> score per the [Wildblue indications] has begun to skyrocket again, about
> 800 megs in the day following their system reconnection.  It looks to me
> like most iTunes downloads are on the order of 5 mB, 800 mB at the speed
> we have would take more than an hour.  Most of the time their computer
> has been turned off.  I have VNC installed and if I see it on and not in
> use  [I check the Netgear router] I shut their computer off.
> 
> My question is is it possible that some site they have visited triggers
> something that is driving our usage up even though all the computers are
> powered down leaving only mine and the Netgear router running.  Even
> then when I am not using the internet I usually "deactivate" it via
> "system control network."
> 
> Gkrellm seems to keep an accurate reading of what I am using in this
> computer, both upload and download so I don't think I am causing the
> problem and it seems to have restarted since I re-enabled the kids XP box.
> 
> Any suggestions as to  what to look for will be appreciated.

May I make a simple suggestion as it sounds as if you are fighting a battle
that will continue to be fought?  Keep in mind that I forgot the family
dynamics in play.

Is your connection to the internet ADSL?  If so, why not just get a second
phone line for ADSL only and another ISP account that is dedicated to the
twins to use.  Maybe you can get it for a discount as you have one account
already and maybe you can get them a lower usage level.  If they use it up,
so be it.  You are unaffected.  Your choice as to who pay the freight.