Tracking internet usage on one computer

[Martyn]

I know some internet providers track your usage but I'm looking for a standalone free program to track usage. I have a new elderly client that wants me to see why he has going over his 10GB monthly bandwidth. I've never has a call like this but it got me thinking of how to track per computer with a non router application. Any tips?

He tells me he just checks his emails and online banking so is rarely on it. There could be something else going on but I still would like an answer to my question.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Is his wireless open by any chance? Allowing joe bloggs to download updates for their games etc?

 

[citizensmith]

Try
http://www.rackeys.com/Downloads/DBUM/Rackeys-broadband-usage-meter-features.html
or
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/tbbmeter.html

Don't ISP routers come with stats hidden somewhere on the Admin\ Advanced page? Is this guy watching on demand / ketchup?

 

[MichaelBits]

Another possibility would be if he has directv or something similar. They piggyback your internet and can cause high usage.

 

[Markverhyden]

I agree, there must be something else going on.

 

[Martyn]

Thanks for the input. I will be there on Monday so have a look. My first thought was someone is using his wifi, we'll see.

 

[Xander]

My ISP lets me check my bandwidth pretty easily.

FWIW, I had a customer a couple of years ago that told me the same thing over the phone. When I got there, I found they were streaming some American court case over CNN over most of the day .... "There's your problem."

 

[frase]

Not the actual answer here sorry though, as I don't believe third party apps are reliable. I would suggest that the client upgrades to a modem/router or ISP which can relay usage direct to the client, with a specific threshold set warning.

10GB can go quick within a month - does the client use social media, youtube - watch movies streamed?
Depending on what ISP the client is with email usgae is one to look at. Does the client get vids or large file emailed to the account.

Today 10GB is not going to go far - no matter what the usage or expected usage - as there is always ties attached as in upload charges. I would suggest a better plan overall.

 

[Martyn]

Update, the customer rang yesterday and cancelled the call, well he said he postponed it to further notice.

 

[acscva]

Glasswire Networking Security Monitoring is a new free tool that works great!

glasswire.com

 

[glricht]

Glasswire Networking Security Monitoring is a new free tool that works great!

glasswire.com

Just checked their site and it looks interesting! Gonna have to check it out.

Anybody actually using it?

 

[acscva]

I installed it on one of my in-house computers and was amazed on what it found connecting to the internet and to what sites.