Large unknown uploads - help to identify

As the title really.
We have just changed to BT after 12 ish years with Pipex/TalkTalk. With Pipex we had unlimited broadband so didn't know how much we were using. Now the BT usage facility shows massive uploads - approximately 3 times as much as downloads (4.98GB vs 11.31GB in 2 weeks) but we cannot see what this is from.
We have 2 windows pcs which have Norton - scans show nothing of concern. My daughter has a Macbook and uses a ps3 online occasionally, the Mac has no antivirus software. These all connect via a wireless network.

We are thinking that there may be some nefarious program that is utilising bandwidth without our knowing - is this possible?
My next step is to thoroughly check the Macbook but does anyone have any other siuggestions please?

In reply to a post by cazmal:

As the title really.
We have just changed to BT after 12 ish years with Pipex/TalkTalk. With Pipex we had unlimited broadband so didn't know how much we were using. Now the BT usage facility shows massive uploads - approximately 3 times as much as downloads (4.98GB vs 11.31GB in 2 weeks) but we cannot see what this is from.
We have 2 windows pcs which have Norton - scans show nothing of concern. My daughter has a Macbook and uses a ps3 online occasionally, the Mac has no antivirus software. These all connect via a wireless network.

We are thinking that there may be some nefarious program that is utilising bandwidth without our knowing - is this possible?
My next step is to thoroughly check the Macbook but does anyone have any other siuggestions please?

Dose your daughter or your self use P2P EG torrents if so check that these have not been uploading to them self's because this can rack up a lot of bandwidth in no time at all

Ash

The days when you could safely use a Mac without AV are long since gone, so install the free AV program from Sophos :- http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/soph...

I suggest you install Bitmeter 2 on machines with Windows as it logs bandwidth use and can sit as a very small window in the corner of the screen showing downloading/uploading as it takes place. See http://codebox.org.uk/pages/bitmeter2

I don't think there is a Mac version but by subtraction you should get a fair idea if the Mac uses most of the bandwidth.

The two most likely causes are torrents/P2p, which has been mentioned, and someone deliberately or accidentally, (it does happen accidentally), leaching off your wireless conenction to do the same.

I may be teaching you to suck eggs, but P2P means just that. If you download things using it, then when someone else wants the same thing you will be one of the providers uploading one of the streams that other person is downloading.

What wireless security have you got - WEP is useless, though of course none is worse. You need WPA2 with a complex password. You can also check what is connected via your wireless link, through your router GUI.

bbc iplayer has something called kontiki ? that is essentially a legal p2p service that uses your connection to reduce their server costs

personally not worried as on an unlimited connection

They stopped using the P2P client years ago.

In reply to a post by mikebear:

The days when you could safely use a Mac without AV are long since gone, so install the free AV program from Sophos :- http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/soph...

I suggest you install Bitmeter 2 on machines with Windows as it logs bandwidth use and can sit as a very small window in the corner of the screen showing downloading/uploading as it takes place. See http://codebox.org.uk/pages/bitmeter2

I don't think there is a Mac version but by subtraction you should get a fair idea if the Mac uses most of the bandwidth.

Thanks for this - will probably try bitmeter, as you say it'll identify which machine is doing the damage!

As far as I am aware, I do not use torrents or P2P but cannot speak for my daughter (20y/o) What sort of things will be using these - messenger type programs? Will be looking at antivirus for the mac.

Try Surplusmeter for Mac Usage.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

The two most likely causes are torrents/P2p, which has been mentioned, and someone deliberately or accidentally, (it does happen accidentally), leaching off your wireless conenction to do the same.

I may be teaching you to suck eggs, but P2P means just that. If you download things using it, then when someone else wants the same thing you will be one of the providers uploading one of the streams that other person is downloading.

What wireless security have you got - WEP is useless, though of course none is worse. You need WPA2 with a complex password. You can also check what is connected via your wireless link, through your router GUI.

Have checked my GUI and only known devices are attached, We have WPA and WPA2 security with a strong password.

Programs would be
utorrent, bittorrent, azureus / vuze, bitlord etc...
A decent list is here

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BitTorrent_...

Perhaps an unlimited package would be a good option

Edited by ukhardy07 (Tue 28-Aug-12 12:17:27)