Uncover Hidden Internet Monitors: A Comprehensive Guide

Monitoring your internet usage can help you avoid overage fees, identify any malware or intruders on your network, and optimise your system for better performance. There are several ways to monitor your internet usage, including using third-party apps, your router's settings, your ISP's dashboard, and built-in tools on your smartphone or computer's operating system.

Third-party apps like GlassWire, Netguard, Bitmeter II, and Bandwidth+ can help you monitor your internet usage by providing data usage statistics, notifications for suspicious activity, and the ability to set usage limits. You can also use your router's settings to track bandwidth usage by logging into its web-based interface with your IP address and checking the network information for each connected device. Similarly, your ISP's dashboard will show your overall bandwidth usage, although it may not provide device-specific details. Finally, built-in tools on smartphones and computers can help you monitor internet usage on a per-device basis, allowing you to identify which apps are using the most data.

Check your router settings

Checking your router settings is a great way to monitor your internet usage. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions to help you do that:

Step 1: Access Your Router's Settings

To access your router's settings, you'll first need to know your IP address. If you don't know it by heart, simply Google "What is my IP address", and you will find it. Once you have your IP address, go to your router's setting page and enter your login credentials. If you don't know the login details, you can check the documentation that came with your router, which should include both the username and password. If you've misplaced the credentials, try the most common default settings: Username: Admin or admin, and Password: Password or 1234. If these don't work, you can try searching for the default credentials for your specific router model online.

Step 2: Navigate to the Relevant Section

Once you've successfully logged in, navigate to the relevant section to view your internet usage statistics. This could be called "Statistics", "Traffic Statistics", "Traffic Meter", "Bandwidth Usage", "Network Monitor", or something similar. Consult your router's manual or the manufacturer's website for detailed instructions, as the process may vary depending on your router model.

Step 3: View and Analyse Your Internet Usage Data

In the statistics section, you'll be able to see details such as the amount of data uploaded and downloaded, the number of Bytes and Packets sent and received, and the traffic statistics for different frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz, for example). You may also be able to view usage data for individual devices connected to your network, which can be helpful for identifying any issues or excessive usage.

Step 4: Set Up Bandwidth Usage Settings (Optional)

If you wish to set up bandwidth usage limits or caps, you can usually do so in a section called "Meter", "Settings", "Cap", or something similar. Here, you can enable a bandwidth usage cap and select your desired settings. Don't forget to click "Apply" or "Save" to confirm your changes.

Step 5: Consider Using Third-Party Tools

While checking your router settings can provide valuable insights into your internet usage, you may also benefit from using third-party tools or applications for more detailed statistics and analysis. These tools can help you monitor internet usage by device and set up usage limits or alerts. Some popular options include GlassWire, Wireshark, and NetWorx.

By following these steps, you can effectively monitor your internet usage, identify any potential issues or excessive usage, and make informed decisions regarding your internet plan and connected devices.

Use a third-party tool

If you want to monitor your internet usage, a third-party tool can be a great option. These tools can provide detailed insights into your internet usage and help you stay within your data limits. Here are some benefits and features of using a third-party tool:

Detailed Data Monitoring:

Third-party tools like GlassWire offer real-time monitoring of your internet usage. It provides a detailed breakdown of data usage by websites and applications. This information can help you understand which apps are using the most data and make informed decisions to reduce data consumption.

Alerts and Usage Limits:

One of the most useful features of third-party tools is the ability to set alerts and usage limits. You can receive alerts when you're approaching your data limit, helping you avoid overage fees. Additionally, you can set usage limits for specific devices or applications to control your data usage effectively.

Block Data-Wasting Apps:

Third-party tools enable you to block apps that waste your data. You can choose to uninstall or temporarily block data-hogging apps to optimize your data usage. This feature ensures that you stay within your data limits and saves you from unnecessary costs.

Compatibility with Devices:

Third-party tools are often compatible with various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. For example, GlassWire offers a mobile version for Android and a desktop version for Windows. This compatibility ensures that you can monitor your data usage across multiple devices and platforms.

Security and Privacy:

Third-party tools can also help you monitor your network's security and protect your privacy. For instance, GlassWire allows you to see which apps are accessing your data and block any unwanted connections. This feature enhances your network's security and ensures that your data remains private.

Ease of Use:

Third-party tools are designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. They often provide a simple interface where you can view your data usage, set alerts, and manage your data plan. This ease of use makes it convenient for anyone to monitor their internet usage effectively.

By leveraging the features offered by third-party tools, you can gain better control over your internet usage, avoid unexpected costs, and optimize your data plan to suit your needs.

Check your ISP's dashboard

To check your internet usage, you can log in to your internet service provider's (ISP) online account system and check its user dashboard. This is the simplest way to see how much bandwidth you have used in any billing cycle.

Some providers, such as AT&T, will break down your usage into upload, download, and total usage stats. Others, such as Comcast, only show you the total overall usage. It's worth noting that your upload is counted toward your total bandwidth cap, so cloud-based smart security cameras or similar new additions to your home network can consume a large amount of upload bandwidth.

ISP dashboards are a limited overview of your usage. Your ISP can't give you any more insight beyond how much data passes through your modem. Additionally, the update frequency of ISP dashboards varies. They can update in near-real-time or once or twice a day, so be sure to check with your ISP for additional insights into how often they update your data usage chart.

If you want to monitor internet usage on your smartphone or tablet, you can use the built-in tools on the phone's operating system. On an iPhone, for example, you can go to the "Cellular" section of the Settings app to see how much data each app has used. In addition, you can set usage limits or turn off cellular data altogether for specific apps to help you stay within your data limit. Android phones have similar options in the "Data Usage" section of the Settings app.

Monitor data usage by device

Monitoring your internet usage can help you avoid overage fees from your internet service provider (ISP) and keep track of your bandwidth usage. Here are some methods to monitor data usage by device:

Use a Router:

Many routers and modems have built-in tools that allow you to monitor internet usage. You can log in to your router or modem's web-based interface to access these tools. The specific login information can usually be found in the device's documentation or through a quick online search. You will also need your IP address, which can be found by searching "what is my IP address" on a search engine. Once logged in, you can view usage information for all connected devices and even set usage limits or restrict access to certain websites.

Use Your ISP's Home Network Management App:

Many ISPs offer apps that allow you to monitor your data usage, set usage limits, and manage your WiFi network. These apps can provide insights into which apps or devices are using the most data. They may also offer additional features such as parental controls and guest network setups.

Use Third-Party Internet Monitoring Tools:

You can use third-party tools like GlassWire to monitor your internet usage in real time. GlassWire is available as a mobile app for Android and a desktop app for Windows. It provides detailed information about data usage, including which websites and applications are using the most data. GlassWire also offers features like alerts for when you're approaching your data limit and the ability to set usage limits for specific devices or applications.

Use Built-in Tools on Your Smartphone or Tablet:

You can use the built-in tools on your smartphone or tablet's operating system to monitor internet usage. For example, on an iPhone, you can go to the "Cellular" section of the Settings app to see how much data each app has used and set usage limits. Similarly, Android phones have a "Data usage" section in the Settings app where you can view data usage and set limits or restrict data usage for specific apps.

Check your router stats

To check your router stats, you'll first need to log in to your router. You can do this by accessing your router's admin settings page. If you haven't changed the login details, you can find the default login credentials on the router sticker, in its manual, or on the manufacturer's website. If you're using an app to manage your router, you can log in through that.

Once you're logged in, navigate to your router's status or statistics page. This will differ depending on the make and model of your router, so consult your manufacturer's website or router manual for detailed instructions. Here, you'll be able to see data usage information, including how many bytes and packets have been sent and received, which can be extrapolated into megabytes and gigabytes of data.

Some routers will also allow you to see data usage per device. If your router doesn't have this feature, you can use a third-party application like GlassWire or Wireshark to get more detailed information. These applications can also be useful for monitoring your network traffic and identifying any unknown devices that may be using your network.

If you're concerned about security and want to block certain websites or monitor attempted connections from outside your network, you can access your router's firewall logs. You can also set up parental controls and restrict access to certain websites through your router's settings.

Frequently asked questions