[Artmuzz]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

As above 1gb in 10 days on a computer is nothing really especially if watching YouTube in HD(who doesn't ?)

[ishAppy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

.... and as you have unlimited Internet, does it really matter?

[Anika Hanson]

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]

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]

You'd be very surprised how quickly computers use data vs phones, one 10 min youtube video at 1080p can use like 150mb

[jabbamk1]

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]

Originally Posted by jabbamk1

You mean 350mb right?

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

Like this ->

[nvingo]

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]

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
There's also the new shades plan for £5

[ajh94]

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
There's also the new shades plan for £5

Haha and a plan for lazy eyes too >>

[jabbamk1]

I see DevonBloke is in a good mood today!

[tdenson]

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.