Identify excessive data usage by monitoring network traffic and setting alerts for high consumption.
Identify excessive data usage by monitoring network traffic and setting alerts for high consumption.
I've experimented with several tools recently. My ISP informed me my IP was flagged for excessive uploads. On my bill, I see 1.8TB uploaded versus only 800GB downloaded—unusual for a home network. Since my router lacks built-in usage tracking, I’m wondering if there’s a way to monitor bandwidth per device. The PRTG Network Monitor I found didn’t help. Could someone be siphoning my data? We already listed all connected devices last night, so it’s possible someone is hiding their presence. Just a note: I have a Raspberry Pi that could run continuously for testing if needed.
You should ideally track all traffic in a single location. The router is the best choice, but if not, connect another device with monitoring features to it instead of the primary router. A second router with similar capabilities can serve as an alternative hub for other devices. You might also use tools like Resource Monitor on Windows PCs to observe outbound data from each machine. More likely, the issue stems from malware that hijacks a computer for activities such as forming a botnet. Start by reviewing router logs to confirm excessive outgoing traffic and check if any device is actively sending data. Gradually disconnect devices until traffic drops to nothing.
Consider setting up the router software on your Raspberry Pi because you don’t have another one. Disable the wireless option on the main router, use the same SSID and password to let IoT devices reconnect normally. You can then track Ethernet port usage on the Pi. Since your connection speed is moderate (150 downloads, 15 uploads), it shouldn’t become a bottleneck. For setting up a Raspberry Pi router, there are several good options available.
I’m new to setting up a RasPi as an access point, but I came across this guide: https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentatio...-routed.md. It seems reliable if you’re familiar with the Linux command line. For a fast check, I might use "iptraf-ng," another command-line utility that displays traffic details per interface and destination IP. It’s not user-friendly but works well for a quick overview.