Has anyone with Bigpond noticed a spike in their internet usage? (being used up quicker on their monthly allowance)
In the first few days of my new monthly allowance I used 2.5 gb which for my usage which is unusual for what I normally use, I also noticed my past few months usages seemed to have increased also.
I checked my downloads (check My Documents and then Downloads also) and used the Bigpond online calculator to check my allowance usage and there is no way it should have been that much over a few days.
Bigpond were unable to give me a satisfactory explanation except to say change my Wifi password (they coordinate the change but do not see your password).
I suspect they have made changes to their system that is using more of the monthly allowance or "someone" is hacking the allowance for their own use. I was told that if you use an external mail service like Windows Live or Outlook that you are charged for two downloads of your emails, the first to your bigpond account and then your external mail service when they download there.
Anyone else find their usage has mysteriously gone up???
ken thomas said
12:28 PM Jul 11, 2014
Hello there Vic
I am having the same trouble and it is on different days, so hard to track.
With auto updating it is also hard to monitor what is being downloaded
Previously I had 144 gig of data over 1 day which exceeded my 5 gig monthly allowance by a long way, Telstra could not come up with an answer, but said I must have used it. they did at least put my speed back to normal until the next month
Lots of gremlins or smart people able to hack in
Ken
Vic41 said
12:44 PM Jul 11, 2014
Thanks for the feedback Ken, I have just rang Telstra complaints (and got the Phillipines) I have told them I want to speak to an Australian Operator in Australia (I have trouble with their accent and also some speak too fast and I can't understand them).
I have already tried to have this resolved by the offshore operators but they have not been able to resolve it to my satisfaction, they are going to get an Australian complaints operator to ring me back.
I recall years ago before itemised phone bills etc, some Australian exchange workers were hacking into peoples telephone accounts and making interstate and overseas phone calls at others expense before it was discovered, it does make you wonder if something like that is happening again, or maybe just outside hackers somewhere.
ken thomas said
01:07 PM Jul 11, 2014
Hi Vic
My problem happened the day after I phoned the Philapines, so I think it might go on there
For my 144 gig usage I would have had to download 200 movies in 1 day
Do not have a lot of trust offshore
Ken
Mike196 said
01:22 PM Jul 11, 2014
G'day Vic & Ken,
You have to keep on their backs, they admit to nothing. We had all sorts of problems with the account a couple of years ago and I went into one of the Shops and complained in person. Even they (being a Franchise) had to wait for 20 Mins before a Telstra person would speak to them. I eventually got some satisfaction, but they're ADSL allowances suck compared to the competition. We left and went back to Internode and our monthly bill halved!!while the adsl allowance increased 5 fold. Even the land line is $5.00 Mth cheaper thru Internode. Not quite as good a coverage for the phones as direct with Telstra but we can e-mail the kids from any local library so all good.
Keep at them you will eventually get somewhere, be interesting to check usage on your modem on days you don't access anything and see what is happening. A mate of mine had naked adsl and was being billed for usage he didn't use, and discovered his modem wasn't secure and one of the neighbours was using all his allowance up.
Regards,
Mike.
Bryan said
01:53 PM Jul 11, 2014
I'm happy with iinet. People I talk to are fluent in English and because I'm stupid when it comes to computers they can guide me in words that I can understand.
2foot6 said
02:13 PM Jul 11, 2014
I have been having discussions with Telstra for the last three months due to high usage,they don't seem to want to listen.I have been watching the usage meter and no one in Telsta can tell me why at 11 .00 o'clock each night the meter shows the next days usage with about 200 meg usage on the graph.Strangely enough my usage this month was 135% compared to the original usage around 100-110%,but I didn't use the internet for two weeks. One reason offered by Telstra was my wireless modem is not compatable (bull$%&t),it's been compatable for the last five years and Telstra supplied it.I wonder if the NBN will be an improvement or just another company offering excuses and ways to take our money!!!!!!!!!!
Vic41 said
02:17 PM Jul 11, 2014
That's a massive amount of usage Ken, blowed if I know how they can justify that. Sounds very fishy
Thanks also Mike, they got me to go offline for 24 hours and I checked my downloads for that period and nothing showing.
I upped my allowance from 5gig to 50gig, cost $50 after bundling discount.
On the other hand, iinet have a plan for 250gig for $50 so blowed if I know how Bigpond justify that.
Bryan, iinet have Optus as their 3rd party provider not Bigpond, so although it may have some advantages (Oz operators, cost etc) for those travelling around the block Optus does not the the same coverage as Bigpond for Wifi or mobiles.
Vic41 said
02:20 PM Jul 11, 2014
2foot6 wrote:
I have been having discussions with Telstra for the last three months due to high usage,they don't seem to want to listen.I have been watching the usage meter and no one in Telsta can tell me why at 11 .00 o'clock each night the meter shows the next days usage with about 200 meg usage on the graph.Strangely enough my usage this month was 135% compared to the original usage around 100-110%,but I didn't use the internet for two weeks. One reason offered by Telstra was my wireless modem is not compatable (bull$%&t),it's been compatable for the last five years and Telstra supplied it.I wonder if the NBN will be an improvement or just another company offering excuses and ways to take our money!!!!!!!!!!
I reckon someone is telling porkies 2foot6 and it's not us.
I also went away for two weeks and found my usage was more when I returned, I think Bigpond know more that what they are telling us as to what is going on. Something is not according to Hoyle that's for sure.
Allany said
02:32 PM Jul 11, 2014
You might want to check the security on your system and the level of encryption
if you get no joy from Telstra go to the ombudsman and let him deal with it for you
allan
Vic41 said
02:33 PM Jul 11, 2014
Allany wrote:
You might want to check the security on your system and the level of encryption
if you get no joy from Telstra go to the ombudsman and let him deal with it for you
allan
Thanks Allan, I think it is ok but I will double check...
Bryan said
03:45 PM Jul 11, 2014
My phone is on Optus too Vic and I love it when I'm out of signal range. No emails, no urgent calls for me to make decisions.
Dougwe said
04:59 PM Jul 11, 2014
I too had problems during my last billing cycle that just changed over at midnight last night thank goodness. Not sure really why but did for the first time so will keep an eye on things a little closer from now on.
Hydeeeho said
05:21 PM Jul 11, 2014
Bryan wrote:
I'm happy with iinet. People I talk to are fluent in English and because I'm stupid when it comes to computers they can guide me in words that I can understand.
But no one is talking about iinet
solo nomad said
05:27 PM Jul 11, 2014
telstra some time ago changed the way they bill usage
they used to bill per kilobyte
they now bill per megabyte meaning log on for 30 seconds and you still get billed 1 megabyte
i discovered this prior to christmas when i updated my phone and my pre paid dongle
read the fine print......................
hope this helps
Vic41 said
06:20 PM Jul 11, 2014
Bryan wrote:
My phone is on Optus too Vic and I love it when I'm out of signal range. No emails, no urgent calls for me to make decisions.
When fishing at a remote spot, one camper had Vodaphone and the other Optus, I had Telstra and was the only one who could get phone coverage.
As the other two wanted to check in with their family, I ended up having to let them use my phone so they could do so.
Might be needed for emergency too Bryan so I would prefer to have the provider with the best coverage, without having to go to and expensive satellite phone, which can only work if it is not overcast/cloudy etc as I understand.
Take your point though.
Vic41 said
06:21 PM Jul 11, 2014
Thanks Baz, sounds like they get at you whichever way you go.
SnowT said
06:59 PM Jul 11, 2014
Have a Look at All Apps and other stuff you have on the computers/phone's they have changed how they operate therefore they do the sneaky downloads..
Juergen
Bryan said
07:31 PM Jul 11, 2014
Hydeeeho wrote:
Bryan wrote:
I'm happy with iinet. People I talk to are fluent in English and because I'm stupid when it comes to computers they can guide me in words that I can understand.
But no one is talking about iinet
I know that. I just mentioned that I'm happy with my provider iinet. Vic and I were discussing the issue via email.
-- Edited by Bryan on Friday 11th of July 2014 07:35:15 PM
Vic41 said
08:51 PM Jul 11, 2014
Thanks Juergen, I'm trying to get rid of MSN9 on my home page, that's another download each time I log on even if I don't open anything on it, I want to get a blank home page but for some reason it isn't letting me do it like I could before.....
Will look at other things that may be doing auto updates/uploads etc as well, something is not right!!
Vic41 said
08:54 PM Jul 11, 2014
Bryan wrote:
Hydeeeho wrote:
Bryan wrote:
I'm happy with iinet. People I talk to are fluent in English and because I'm stupid when it comes to computers they can guide me in words that I can understand.
But no one is talking about iinet
I know that. I just mentioned that I'm happy with my provider iinet. Vic and I were discussing the issue via email.
He's right Hydeeeho, it was just a follow on conversation, sorry if it confused the issue no harm done.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:06 PM Jul 11, 2014
Keep off the porn sites...
Vic41 said
11:58 PM Jul 11, 2014
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Keep off the porn sites...
Wish it was the truth, at least I would have an explanation
_wombat_ said
09:02 AM Jul 12, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Thanks Juergen, I'm trying to get rid of MSN9 on my home page, that's another download each time I log on even if I don't open anything on it, I want to get a blank home page but for some reason it isn't letting me do it like I could before.....
Will look at other things that may be doing auto updates/uploads etc as well, something is not right!!
Vic, which browser are you using? you need to go into the settings to change that MSN9 page
Another point is the amount of forward emails some people send could contain a script that puts a tag on your computer and lets them use your bandwidth, if I do get an email that says 'pass on to all of your friends' it goes into the rubbish bin, ok so the best way around that is to get MialWasherPro and you can check your incoming emails while they are still on your server and delete the ones you do not want or any that you think may contain crap stuff, you can see a few lines of the incoming email on your server and then decide if you want to see the rest or bin it, with this program you can also set it up to delete automatically, again BEFORE they are downloaded to your computer.
I do not work for MWP but I have been using it since it first came out.
Thanks Wombat, I think I did try Mail Washer at one time but stopped. If we loaded all these extra's that some say to add then that adds to the programs running in the background, so I tend to avoid them, not saying Mail Washer is not a worth addition though.
I dump those emails that say pass onto everyone or to sign a petition etc, a lot of the "pass onto all your contacts" etc are mostly hoaxes anyway.
I have gone to my settings on internet options to try to change my home page, in the past it was easy to change it to blank page but it doesn't seem to have that option anymore. You can replace it with another website so I may put the GN main page on it instead and see if that works.
_wombat_ said
09:48 AM Jul 12, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Thanks Wombat, I think I did try Mail Washer at one time but stopped. If we loaded all these extra's that some say to add then that adds to the programs running in the background, so I tend to avoid them, not saying Mail Washer is not a worth addition though.
I dump those emails that say pass onto everyone or to sign a petition etc, a lot of the "pass onto all your contacts" etc are mostly hoaxes anyway.
I have gone to my settings on internet options to try to change my home page, in the past it was easy to change it to blank page but it doesn't seem to have that option anymore. You can replace it with another website so I may put the GN main page on it instead and see if that works.
MWP is hard to set up but once running correctly it is a dream.
are you talking about Internet Explorer?
you could change it to Google Search engine, small load KB's
click this link https://blank.org/ and then go to settings and select use the current page
Vic41 said
10:12 AM Jul 12, 2014
Thanks Wombat,
I have changed my page to blank now using that link.
I use both google and IE for searches....
_wombat_ said
10:14 AM Jul 12, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
Thanks Wombat,
I have changed my page to blank now using that link.
I use both google and IE for searches....
good that you got it to use blank cos that will suit you
Vic41 said
10:22 AM Jul 12, 2014
_wombat_ wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
Thanks Wombat,
I have changed my page to blank now using that link.
I use both google and IE for searches....
good that you got it to use blank cos that will suit you
You got that right.......who needs enemies with friends like you
_wombat_ said
10:43 AM Jul 12, 2014
Vic41 wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
Thanks Wombat,
I have changed my page to blank now using that link.
I use both google and IE for searches....
good that you got it to use blank cos that will suit you
You got that right.......who needs enemies with friends like you
Has anyone with Bigpond noticed a spike in their internet usage? (being used up quicker on their monthly allowance)
In the first few days of my new monthly allowance I used 2.5 gb which for my usage which is unusual for what I normally use, I also noticed my past few months usages seemed to have increased also.
I checked my downloads (check My Documents and then Downloads also) and used the Bigpond online calculator to check my allowance usage and there is no way it should have been that much over a few days.
Bigpond were unable to give me a satisfactory explanation except to say change my Wifi password (they coordinate the change but do not see your password).
I suspect they have made changes to their system that is using more of the monthly allowance or "someone" is hacking the allowance for their own use. I was told that if you use an external mail service like Windows Live or Outlook that you are charged for two downloads of your emails, the first to your bigpond account and then your external mail service when they download there.
Anyone else find their usage has mysteriously gone up???
I am having the same trouble and it is on different days, so hard to track.
With auto updating it is also hard to monitor what is being downloaded
Previously I had 144 gig of data over 1 day which exceeded my 5 gig monthly allowance by a long way, Telstra could not come up with an answer, but said I must have used it. they did at least put my speed back to normal until the next month
Lots of gremlins or smart people able to hack in
Ken
Thanks for the feedback Ken, I have just rang Telstra complaints (and got the Phillipines) I have told them I want to speak to an Australian Operator in Australia (I have trouble with their accent and also some speak too fast and I can't understand them).
I have already tried to have this resolved by the offshore operators but they have not been able to resolve it to my satisfaction, they are going to get an Australian complaints operator to ring me back.
I recall years ago before itemised phone bills etc, some Australian exchange workers were hacking into peoples telephone accounts and making interstate and overseas phone calls at others expense before it was discovered, it does make you wonder if something like that is happening again, or maybe just outside hackers somewhere.
My problem happened the day after I phoned the Philapines, so I think it might go on there
For my 144 gig usage I would have had to download 200 movies in 1 day
Do not have a lot of trust offshore
Ken
G'day Vic & Ken,
You have to keep on their backs, they admit to nothing. We had all sorts of problems with the account a couple of years ago and I went into one of the Shops and complained in person. Even they (being a Franchise) had to wait for 20 Mins before a Telstra person would speak to them. I eventually got some satisfaction, but they're ADSL allowances suck compared to the competition. We left and went back to Internode and our monthly bill halved!!while the adsl allowance increased 5 fold. Even the land line is $5.00 Mth cheaper thru Internode. Not quite as good a coverage for the phones as direct with Telstra but we can e-mail the kids from any local library so all good.
Keep at them you will eventually get somewhere, be interesting to check usage on your modem on days you don't access anything and see what is happening. A mate of mine had naked adsl and was being billed for usage he didn't use, and discovered his modem wasn't secure and one of the neighbours was using all his allowance up.
Regards,
Mike.
I'm happy with iinet. People I talk to are fluent in English and because I'm stupid when it comes to computers they can guide me in words that I can understand.
I have been having discussions with Telstra for the last three months due to high usage,they don't seem to want to listen.I have been watching the usage meter and no one in Telsta can tell me why at 11 .00 o'clock each night the meter shows the next days usage with about 200 meg usage on the graph.Strangely enough my usage this month was 135% compared to the original usage around 100-110%,but I didn't use the internet for two weeks. One reason offered by Telstra was my wireless modem is not compatable (bull$%&t),it's been compatable for the last five years and Telstra supplied it.I wonder if the NBN will be an improvement or just another company offering excuses and ways to take our money!!!!!!!!!!


That's a massive amount of usage Ken, blowed if I know how they can justify that. Sounds very fishy
Thanks also Mike, they got me to go offline for 24 hours and I checked my downloads for that period and nothing showing.
I upped my allowance from 5gig to 50gig, cost $50 after bundling discount.
On the other hand, iinet have a plan for 250gig for $50 so blowed if I know how Bigpond justify that.
Bryan, iinet have Optus as their 3rd party provider not Bigpond, so although it may have some advantages (Oz operators, cost etc) for those travelling around the block Optus does not the the same coverage as Bigpond for Wifi or mobiles.
I reckon someone is telling porkies 2foot6 and it's not us.
I also went away for two weeks and found my usage was more when I returned, I think Bigpond know more that what they are telling us as to what is going on. Something is not according to Hoyle that's for sure.
You might want to check the security on your system and the level of encryption
if you get no joy from Telstra go to the ombudsman and let him deal with it for you
allan
Thanks Allan, I think it is ok but I will double check...
But no one is talking about iinet
they used to bill per kilobyte
they now bill per megabyte meaning log on for 30 seconds and you still get billed 1 megabyte
i discovered this prior to christmas when i updated my phone and my pre paid dongle
read the fine print......................
hope this helps
When fishing at a remote spot, one camper had Vodaphone and the other Optus, I had Telstra and was the only one who could get phone coverage.
As the other two wanted to check in with their family, I ended up having to let them use my phone so they could do so.
Might be needed for emergency too Bryan so I would prefer to have the provider with the best coverage, without having to go to and expensive satellite phone, which can only work if it is not overcast/cloudy etc as I understand.
Take your point though.
Thanks Baz, sounds like they get at you whichever way you go.
Juergen
I know that. I just mentioned that I'm happy with my provider iinet. Vic and I were discussing the issue via email.
-- Edited by Bryan on Friday 11th of July 2014 07:35:15 PM
Thanks Juergen, I'm trying to get rid of MSN9 on my home page, that's another download each time I log on even if I don't open anything on it, I want to get a blank home page but for some reason it isn't letting me do it like I could before.....

Will look at other things that may be doing auto updates/uploads etc as well, something is not right!!
He's right Hydeeeho, it was just a follow on conversation, sorry if it confused the issue
no harm done.
Wish it was the truth, at least I would have an explanation
Vic, which browser are you using? you need to go into the settings to change that MSN9 page
Another point is the amount of forward emails some people send could contain a script that puts a tag on your computer and lets them use your bandwidth, if I do get an email that says 'pass on to all of your friends' it goes into the rubbish bin, ok so the best way around that is to get MialWasherPro and you can check your incoming emails while they are still on your server and delete the ones you do not want or any that you think may contain crap stuff, you can see a few lines of the incoming email on your server and then decide if you want to see the rest or bin it, with this program you can also set it up to delete automatically, again BEFORE they are downloaded to your computer.
I do not work for MWP but I have been using it since it first came out.
http://www.firetrust.com/en/home
Thanks Wombat, I think I did try Mail Washer at one time but stopped. If we loaded all these extra's that some say to add then that adds to the programs running in the background, so I tend to avoid them, not saying Mail Washer is not a worth addition though.
I dump those emails that say pass onto everyone or to sign a petition etc, a lot of the "pass onto all your contacts" etc are mostly hoaxes anyway.
I have gone to my settings on internet options to try to change my home page, in the past it was easy to change it to blank page but it doesn't seem to have that option anymore. You can replace it with another website so I may put the GN main page on it instead and see if that works.
MWP is hard to set up but once running correctly it is a dream.
are you talking about Internet Explorer?
you could change it to Google Search engine, small load KB's
click this link https://blank.org/ and then go to settings and select use the current page
Thanks Wombat,
I have changed my page to blank now using that link.
I use both google and IE for searches....
good that you got it to use blank cos that will suit you



You got that right.......who needs enemies with friends like you
thanks MATE