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iPhone Internet tethering suspicion
Artmuzz
03-02-2013
I have The One Plan from 3. I use my iPhone 4S as a modem for my MacBook as it supports tethering but I am very suspicious that someone in my street is using my Internet connection. I just received my first bill and according to 3 I have use nearly 1GB data in the past 10 days. However I have only watched about four 5 minute videos off YouTube and downloaded a file that's only 50mb. All the rest is just general browsing of websites like forums and news sites. I use the Personal Hotspot function on my iPhone which is passport protected whenever I want to use my iPhone as a modem. However, I am suspicious that someone in my street is hacking into my iPhone and using the net. Please advise.
ba_baracus
03-02-2013
When you enable the personal hotspot it will show the blue bar with number of devices connected. If there is only 1 (i.e your laptop) then nobody else is using it.
konebyvax
03-02-2013
You'd be surprised how easy it is to use 1gb of data tethering to a laptop/macbook. It's not like using data on a phone, the macbook will require much more data to fill the screen on videos etc. And what about app updates etc?
iangrad
03-02-2013
If you have a password on your phone ( IE a wifi security password ) then no one else can used your data , I went through 1.2 gb on 4G in 40 mins just by watching BBC I player in HD !

Data goes nowhere !
Artmuzz
03-02-2013
Originally Posted by ba_baracus:
“When you enable the personal hotspot it will show the blue bar with number of devices connected. If there is only 1 (i.e your laptop) then nobody else is using it.”

Yeah I know but the net connection disconnected on my MacBook and still it displayed as "1Connection" on the blue bar at the top.
Lidtop2013
03-02-2013
As above 1gb in 10 days on a computer is nothing really especially if watching YouTube in HD(who doesn't ?)
ishAppy
03-02-2013
Originally Posted by Artmuzz:
“Yeah I know but the net connection disconnected on my MacBook and still it displayed as "1Connection" on the blue bar at the top.”

Did it say 2 before?
Artmuzz
03-02-2013
Originally Posted by ishAppy:
“Did it say 2 before?”

No, I've always seen it as 1 Connection every time I've looked when I have my MacBook connected to the net from my iPhone. I'm maybe being a little paranoid with looking at my bill and the fact the 1 Connection was still displaying on the blue bar of Personal Hotspot when my MacBook was disconnected.
alanwarwic
03-02-2013
It needs to be set to WPA 2. If its on that its very extremely unlikely to been hacked.
The Macbook should show it as that,though I'm not sure if Apple cloaks the standard naming.


If you don't use any security people may even tether to it unwittingly.
davethorp
03-02-2013
Just change your tethering password if you are that concerned. Then if someone is using it, they wont be able to anymore.

Although it is perfectly feasible to use 1GB of data in 10 days when tethering
Artmuzz
03-02-2013
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“It needs to be set to WPA 2. If its on that its very extremely unlikely to been hacked.
The Macbook should show it as that,though I'm not sure if Apple cloaks the standard naming.


If you don't use any security people may even tether to it unwittingly.”

Is there any way I can set it to WPA 2 on the iPhone's Personal Hotspot function?
Lidtop2013
03-02-2013
Any case if your on the one plan even if someone is using your internet you wont be paying any extra as its unlimited, i know thats not the point but im just saying.

And do you notice the internet randomly slowing down? that would be another way of knowing if someone else is using your internet, although being a mobile network it might slow down randomly anyway.

My advice, change your password, watch the top bar for 1 connection etc, and stop being paranoid
plymouthbloke1974
03-02-2013
.... and as you have unlimited Internet, does it really matter?
Anika Hanson
03-02-2013
How much do you usually use? is this unusual for you?

If you're watching youtube videos in HD then you've probably used a lot of data. In the past 23 days I've used 880 mb of data. I tether my phone to my ipod touch and my ipad mini and occasionally my chromebook. I don't watch videos outside but I do a bit of downloading (comics and magazines) and web browse, check emails etc.
The Lord Lucan
03-02-2013
If it says one device connected then only one is. It can be a bit delayed in showing after you disconnect. I can use 2G a day tethering easily (without downloading)

Youtube isn't as compressed with the PC than on the phone/tablet and if you use full screen it usually goes to HD mode which will burn through data much quicker than you think.

I think your fears are unfounded but no harm in changing your password.

Apple's Hotspot feature uses WPA2 by default.
ajh94
03-02-2013
You'd be very surprised how quickly computers use data vs phones, one 10 min youtube video at 1080p can use like 150mb
jabbamk1
03-02-2013
Originally Posted by ajh94:
“You'd be very surprised how quickly computers use data vs phones, one 10 min youtube video at 1080p can use like 150mb”

You mean 350mb right?
plymouthbloke1974
04-02-2013
Originally Posted by jabbamk1:
“You mean 350mb right?”

150MB if looking out of one eye....

Like this ->
nvingo
04-02-2013
Don't forget it isn't only the videos, the webpage view includes a lot of extra - thumbnails and adverts which the mobile apps don't.
DevonBloke
04-02-2013
Originally Posted by plymouthbloke1974:
“150MB if looking out of one eye....

Like this -> ”

Yeah I saw that new EE one eyed tethering plan.
Apparently Three are responding an with all-you-can-eat no eyes plan for £1 per month :sleep:
There's also the new shades plan for £5
ajh94
04-02-2013
Originally Posted by DevonBloke:
“Yeah I saw that new EE one eyed tethering plan.
Apparently Three are responding an with all-you-can-eat no eyes plan for £1 per month :sleep:
There's also the new shades plan for £5 ”

Haha and a plan for lazy eyes too >>
jabbamk1
04-02-2013
I see DevonBloke is in a good mood today!
tdenson
04-02-2013
Something to watch with tethering if using Apple devices is the photostream. This only syncs when it sees a wifi connection. Likewise if you use a 3rd party podcatcher like Downcast, it's quite easy to end up downloading files that you never intended to.
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