Why is my Cox Internet Usage so High?
What Could Be The Reason For High Cox Internet Usage?
Often, there is a tendency to realize that the Cox internet data usage has gone higher per month than usual. Consuming more data than agreed leads to being charged more in data over charges hence the reasons behind the increase must be determined. Below are some of the main causes of the high Cox internet usage and some of the measures that you can take to minimize it.
Streaming Video and Music
Streaming offers are among the applications that consume the most data in terms of internet usage. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Spotify, and Pandora can quickly consume hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes while watching movies, TV shows, music, and other content. Even an hour of HD video streaming can consume up to 3 GB of data. The problem is however compounded when you or anyone in your household binge-watches for several hours a day.
The only possible solutions presumably advisable for cutting back streaming usage include setting the default video play quality to standard as opposed to high definition. Some videos are available for download when connected to Wi-Fi for later watching in a bid to conserve data. Regarding music, change streaming to download so that you listen them without accessing the internet. Parents should regulate the children and place some conditions such that they cannot use the devices for too long to stream.
Cloud Storage and Services
Other services that use the Internet include cloud-based applications, storage, and service which have also raised the usage of Internet data by many households. Tools such as iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and so on run in the background and constantly synchronize data with the device, especially if the function of automatic uploading of your photos is enabled. What this means is that all the files that you upload and share through this service are charged towards your monthly usage and therefore items like high-quality photos or videos, will use up most of the space and trigger overages.
If you are wary of your data usage, then you should limit the kind of data that you put in the cloud. Temporarily turn off the auto sync of all the photos and videos or just save the thumbnails in the cloud. It’s better to upload just the largest documents that must be stored in the cloud rather than all of your media collection.
OS and Software Updates
All your computers, phones, tablets, video game consoles, smart appliances, and virtually any devices you are using now are utilizing data in the background just to download updates, new apps, and software. Updates in particular are known to consume GBs per month when tens of devices download software files in 4K and above. One session of updates including Windows and iOS updates are over 6 GB in size.
To prevent automatic updates, users need to adjust the settings of the device that they are using. Limit them to connect and download only through Wi-Fi or completely disable them and update them on your preferred timings. It is better to stagger the updates instead of having all electronics download the information at the same time to ease the traffic.
Smart Home Devices
Our connected smart home devices, in general, consume a lot of data as well. Connected consumer devices such as smart speakers, security cameras, doorbells, thermostats, and lighting often have a Wi-Fi connection that enables the activation of features and the transmission of data to the manufacturer’s cloud. Security cameras can use several GBs to upload continuous live recordings to the cloud for daily storage.
One of the ways they can reduce the amount of smart home data required is by bringing down the settings they use to stream and upload data. Cameras, in most cases, enable users to set the number of times they want the camera to record, the sensitivity of motion detection, and the quality of the video in the camera. Do not take everything but just record some of the most important moments. It is also advisable to check other device settings that restrict what they share over your home internet data connection as well.
Gaming Consoles and Computers
Of course, entertainment cannot be considered innocent when it comes to the factors behind the increasing number of hours you spend online. Modern gaming consoles require substantial downloads for system updates, games updates, and the games themselves which in the present time are as large as 35-50GB for PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox. It also requires more and more data the longer the game is being played since information is constantly being transferred between systems in multiplayer online games.
Online multiplayer gaming consumes 300MB to 1GB, one hour of gaming. Well, if this is the case then gamers should limit the amount of time they spend playing or should play games that do not require internet data. Whenever possible, have console games and downloads done through Wi-Fi and not through cellular data, which often can have unlimited rates for cheaper prices. Turn off auto-update and decide when it is suitable for your consoles to download new software by themselves.
Malware and Viruses
Sometimes you may find that your data usage has gone up not because of your activities but because hackers and viruses have been invading your connected devices and Wi-Fi network. Computer viruses can give your Internet to other computers, Web sites, and illegitimate services. Invisible software within cryptocurrencies can covertly leech your bandwidth for mining purposes without your consent. Popular monitoring tools are capable of eavesdropping on which sites you visit and what information you share, all this without you realizing it.
There is a need to install the best antivirus software so that the computer scans for threats and erases them all the time. Do not consider a bad performance of a device or strange things happening through the internet as something normal as it could be an attack. Change all account passwords at regular intervals and replace this gear whenever it is necessary. It is very much possible that outsiders have infiltrated your Wi-Fi network; in this case, it is advisable to reach out to Cox Support.
Accidental Large Downloads
It also is very easy to directly cause an enhancement of the data traffic consumption by yourself greatly in apropos. Downloading large software files or media collections while clicking on the wrong link may prompt lengthy download sessions. One might completely omit downloads and only remember that halfway through the billing cycle, your internet data is nearly gone because of that one slip-up!
Be careful when clicking the download buttons; read through the confirmation notices. It is advisable to check on the progress especially when you are planning on downloading very massive files so that can be able to stop or reduce the amount of bandwidth being used at any one time. As much as possible avoid using mobile data when downloading files and choose a certain time of the day when traffic is not congested in your neighborhood.
Home Network Issues
Issues related to Wi-Fi itself in your home can also cause things that indirectly result in more usage of internet data. When the signal strength is low, connections are dropped, the modem is misconfigured, or there are other forms of interferences, devices will constantly cycle through connections and redundantly transfer data. Data can be resent 3 or 4 times, several times the amount of usage from transmission failures back and forth.
Check where your modem and wireless router are positioned and change it if necessary and if possible, use a new modem and wireless router. Connection measurements such as speeds, signal strength, and retransmissions are occurring and Cox Tools should be used. Enhance the way your home is arranged and situated to minimize the amount of data that the Wi-Fi has to turnover needlessly.
Thus, if you want to be sure that your monthly internet data usage will not jump up suddenly, you can pinpoint the causes and look for ways to address them. By paying attention to activity, changing patterns of usage, and managing their behavior you will eliminate high unnecessary costs and set your household's data internet needs back on track!
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