"Real" Internet Data Usage - Can It Really Be Known

- Windows 1903 (18362.836)
- I have internet by a provider.
- AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas, Model R6220
- 24-character password.
- Both 2.4GHz & 5GHz are enabled.
- Security Options for both frequencies: (WPA2-PSK [AES].
- In the house, there are eighteen devices connected to my home network, wired and wireless, (Computers, phones, garage door opener, thermostat and many others).

I tend to change the password once every 6-months or even longer. Yep, it could be a pain to keep changing the password more often considering the length of the password.

When I log into my account at the internet provider's site, I can see the daily usage, by a chart or by a tabulated view.
The router also has a way to see such usage also.

1. The question is, is there really a good method to find out what really uses the data?
2. Is there a "good" method to find out if someone is tapping into my home network?

Thanks for your time.

caxtin said:

- Windows 1903 (18362.836)
- I have internet by a provider.
- AC1200 Smart WiFi Router with External Antennas, Model R6220
- 24-character password.
- Both 2.4GHz & 5GHz are enabled.
- Security Options for both frequencies: (WPA2-PSK [AES].
- In the house, there are eighteen devices connected to my home network, wired and wireless, (Computers, phones, garage door opener, thermostat and many others).
I tend to change the password once every 6-months or even longer. Yep, it could be a pain to keep changing the password more often considering the length of the password.
When I log into my account at the internet provider's site, I can see the daily usage, by a chart or by a tabulated view.
The router also has a way to see such usage also.
1. The question is, is there really a good method to find out what really uses the data?
2. Is there a "good" method to find out if someone is tapping into my home network?
Thanks for your time.

After a quick review of the manual I don't see any detailed usage reports other than the Monitor Internet traffic on page 99.

http://www.downloads.netgear.com/fil..._08Jan2016.pdf

As Ken mentioned, the best security option is white-listing all known mac addresses which would block everything else. Check Manage Network Access Control Lists on page 53.

This router also provides for a Guest wifi Network shown on page 122.

Caledon Ken said:

While it provides for Guest they still need to be on White list. I got tired managing MAC list for people dropping in.

That sounds a bit evil. The mac filtering on my router is band selective. I could be wrong but it appears that if the guest network is truly not separate from the primary network, I could selectively mac filter the 5G network only and just use a standard encryption on the 2.4Ghz network, reserving it for guests.

Looking at the OP'ers router manual, their's does not appear to allow this selectivity for mac filtering.


Then again, will guests ever be suitable in the near future? Maybe in lawn chairs in the backyard placed a minimum of 2 meters (6feet) apart.

I've begun to think this is all moot. I believe no one at all is tapping into your network.

margrave55 said:

I've begun to think this is all moot. I believe no one at all is tapping into your network.

I might agree, however; this is for the comfort level and piece of mind for the OP'er.

My brother-in-law always uses 16-18 digit alpha-numeric passwords for everything. While I think that's insanely over the top and I couldn't be bothered, I respect his choice.

margrave55 said:

I've begun to think this is all moot. I believe no one at all is tapping into your network.

Thanks for the assurance!

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Caledon Ken said:

I can't answer question one but number two.
Very much doubt with your security that anyone is figuring out a 24 character password every six months unless you live next door to a branch of the NSA.
What you could do is shut off WPS, which is recommended many sites, shut off remote access to controlling router and enable MAC filtering.
Assuming they can't get access to your physical wired network then the MAC filtering would block anyone not authorized from using WiFi. Very effective.
You could then buy a cheap router and connect it to your network to provide Guest access if required. You could also control when the "Guest" router is powered on or when wifi was enabled. This just saves you from adding and removing MAC addresses to your filter. You could change this Guest wifi password quite frequently without having to reset all your devices like garage door openers.
Ken

For some reason(s), MAC Filtering seem to be the "best" to protect my network. Though it it very tedious, especially having up to 18 devices and will be squiring two more devices in about two weeks. But then again, the MAC Addresses, once in, would not be accessed again. I had an Excel spread sheet with the address.

My Guest WiFi is disabled since I don't need that.

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dalchina said:

On a per PC basis, Settings, Usage Details shows you usage per app/program:
For the whole network perhaps something like this (free)
The Best Solution to Monitor your Home Network Traffic for Free (2019)

I will look into this, just for the kicks. Thanks.

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W10 Tweaker said:

After a quick review of the manual I don't see any detailed usage reports other than the Monitor Internet traffic on page 99.
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/fil..._08Jan2016.pdf
As Ken mentioned, the best security option is white-listing all known mac addresses which would block everything else. Check Manage Network Access Control Lists on page 53.
This router also provides for a Guest wifi Network shown on page 122.

For the past two weeks I have been having extremely slow WiFi. I found out by the internet provider the issue was from their modem. Just got a new one today and all changed. WiFi is back fast. However, their modem is a Modem/Router combo, with which, the internet provider can see my router's long passcode. I don't like that. I will disable the WiFi and just use the modem.

On this note, when I was on line trouble shooting the slow WiFi issue, I read that writer claiming their router (same as mine) is old and should be changed. I like the router and the interface and I make sure the firmware is up to date. Am not that network savvy. If I were to replace it, I would get Netgear (for the interface) and a router with more antennas for better reception. What do you think?