Something is downloading to my PC

Gangsta

Yesterday, I had downloaded 11GB and today I just got home and checked the usage calculator on my PC and somehow it's gone up to 12.04GB. How is this possible? Is there anyway of finding out what is program is downloading stuff to my PC as this could cost me a lot of money if iol come round looking for it.

kin9pin

You could always seach windows for files modified today?? Or Netlimiter would show you stats for each program if you had it installed.
Failing that I don't know.....you don't have a wireless network do you? Could always be next door getting a bit of free porn!

Gangsta

kin9pin wrote:

You could always seach windows for files modified today?? Or Netlimiter would show you stats for each program if you had it installed.
Failing that I don't know.....you don't have a wireless network do you? Could always be next door getting a bit of free porn!

Lol no, the modem is only connected to this computer. Just checked the search, nothing of a major size modified and just installed netlimit.

shltter

are you going by your ISPs usage calculator

these only update about every 48 hours or whenever you log off from your ISP so if you checked it yesterday it might have been what you had downloaded up to 2 days ago and the extra gig is what you downloaded since then

Gangsta

Yes I am. You could be right I've noticed that before actually.

Undercoverguy

If its still downloading then there is a few ways ya can check.

Install a firewall such as ZoneAlarm from ZoneLabs, If you opent he main program window or "Control" panel in the top right corner any program that is currently using the connection will be flashing. Just move the mouse pointer over the flashing program logo and the name of the program will appear. Google for this program name to make sure that its not an important system program. IF its not important open up the task manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del) and end the program. Then open msconfig (Start> Run> Type "msconfig"), click the start-up tab and un-tick the program name, and click ok or whatever. This rather long was will kill the program using the bandwith.

Other was is to open Command Prompt.
Start> Run> Type "cmd"
At the prompt run the program "netstat -a" for a list of all outgoing and incoming connections. This is really only handy if you know all you gateway and dns addresses and will be pretty complicated if ya dont run in safe-mode.
Using this way you can spot any doggy connections and config your firewall to block connection from the Ip address

Hope this long rant helps! (",)

causal

In addition to the above, from the command prompt:

netstat -b -o -n

this will give you the
- executable name
- process id
- address & port number

hth,
causal

Gangsta

thanks lads will try those.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

Don't want to Hijack this thread but I've a similar issue.
I've noticed that I upload about 3+Gb's a month, yet I don't game or upload anything really. I've checked all the usual, scanned for viruses, spyware etc.

Can't seem to figure it out. Maybe this is just normal?
My downloads per month total about 16-20Gbs, if that helps.

Thanks
ambrose :cool:

Gangsta

you don't download torrents do you? You have to upload while your downloading on the torrent networks so that could be it. You also download quite a bit, you don't use iol or eircom do u?

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

Hi Gangsta
Don't use torrents at all. With Netsource 2mb at the moment. Thinking of changing soon though. (Originally I was getting 205+kbs, now only 130ish if I'm lucky.)

ambrose :cool:

forbairt

your 3 gbs of uploads that you can't account for are probably handshaking ... when you're downloading stuff ...

the only way the far server knows that what you've received is good is if it gets some kinda signal back ...

3 gbs would look about right I'd say for 15 gbs downloads ...

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

error9,
Thats grand so. Just was getting a bit worried in case it was anything serious.

Thanks
ambrose :cool:

causal

I don' think handshaking alone accounts for a ratio of 15GB download to a 3GB upload; I'd expect 0.5GB upload purely for handshaking on 15GB download.
Usually the ratio is about 30:1 (in my case 2.04Mbps:0.07Mbps) on an individual download.

But if we take into account all internet activity (big downloads, email, etc.)
I find that ratio is about 8:1 for my total monthly download:upload ratio i.e. all internet activity. I don't use torrents, rarely game online, but do send the odd 5MB email.

kingambrose your ratio is about 15:3, i.e. 5:1. That's not abnormal but if you say you don't upload much (send big emails, upload your website, torrents etc.) then tbh it seems a bit high.

causal

forbairt

I stand corrected ...

I had factored in my own experience with downloads on this ... and not being much of an uploader ... its about right for me ... give or take...