Monitor Internet Usage: Bloom Broadband's Comprehensive Solution

Monitoring your internet usage can help you avoid overage fees and keep an eye on what's happening on your home network. While some internet service providers (ISPs) have switched to unlimited data, there are still plenty of providers with data caps. To monitor your internet usage, you can use your ISP's dashboard, your router's settings, a hardware firewall, or third-party apps. Your ISP's dashboard will show your overall bandwidth usage, while your router's settings will allow you to monitor usage by device. A hardware firewall adds an extra layer of network monitoring and security, and third-party apps like GlassWire can monitor your internet usage in real-time.

Monitor usage via the Bloom Broadband router

If you want to monitor your internet usage via your router, you will first need to log in to your router's web-based interface. You can find out how to log in by checking the documentation that came with the device or by searching online. You will also need your IP address, which you can find by Googling "what is my IP address".

Once you are logged in, you can access the router's settings to view usage information about all connected devices. Newer routers will also allow you to set usage limits or restrict access to certain websites.

If you are monitoring your internet usage to avoid overage fees, it is worth noting that checking your usage via your router may not always align with your internet service provider's (ISP) accounting of your monthly usage. This is because some routers allow you to set a specific time frame, while others are limited to pre-specified lookback windows such as the last day, seven days, or thirty days.

However, monitoring your internet usage at the router level has significant advantages. Firstly, it is in real-time, so you know exactly how close you are to breaking through your data cap. Secondly, most routers will allow you to drill down to the device level, so you can see what each device on your network is contributing to your overall download and upload bandwidth.

Popular mesh routers such as Nest Wi-Fi and Eero allow you to check total bandwidth consumption and monitor individual devices on your network. You can do this by opening the companion smartphone app and looking under the general internet options for statistics.

ASUS routers have bandwidth monitoring in the "Traffic Analyzer" tab of the router interface, while TP-Link has it in the "System Tools" menu, under "Traffic Monitor".

Use a third-party tool like GlassWire

If you're looking to monitor your internet usage with Bloom Broadband, one option is to use a third-party tool like GlassWire. GlassWire is a free network monitoring and security tool with a built-in firewall that can help you keep track of your data usage. Here's how you can use GlassWire to monitor your internet usage:

Visual Network Monitoring:

GlassWire provides a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to view your past and present network activity on a graph. You can easily identify which applications are using your incoming or outgoing bandwidth and see the countries the applications are communicating with. This helps you understand your network activity and regain control of your bandwidth usage.

Bandwidth Usage Monitor:

With GlassWire, you can keep track of your daily, weekly, or monthly bandwidth usage. You can see which apps, traffic, or hosts are consuming the most bandwidth. This is especially useful if you have a data cap on your internet plan, as it helps you stay within your allowance.

Internet Privacy Protection:

GlassWire is designed to protect your internet privacy by showing all your network activity on an easy-to-use graph. You can see exactly which applications are sending data and which countries they are communicating with. This transparency helps you make informed decisions about your privacy and security.

Alerts and Notifications:

GlassWire provides discreet alerts when anything new accesses your network, so you're always aware of any potential security risks. You can also enable desktop notifications to receive alerts about possible security problems or unauthorized applications accessing your network. Additionally, GlassWire offers a "Snooze Alerts" feature, which allows you to disable notifications for 24 hours if needed.

Remote Server Monitoring:

If you need to monitor remote servers or other computers, GlassWire has you covered. You can easily install GlassWire on remote servers and monitor their network activity from your local computer using the remote access feature. This is particularly useful for business, gaming, or VoIP applications.

Interactive World Map:

GlassWire provides an innovative interactive world map that gives you a visual representation of your device's connections to various countries. You can see both incoming and outgoing traffic in real time, helping you understand the global reach of your network activity.

Customization and Upgrades:

GlassWire offers a range of customization options, including skins and dark themes, to personalize your experience. You can also upgrade to the Premium version of GlassWire to unlock additional features and enhance your network monitoring capabilities.

To get started with GlassWire, simply visit their website, download the software, and follow the installation instructions. By using GlassWire, you can gain valuable insights into your network usage, protect your privacy, and make informed decisions about your internet activity.

Check usage on your smartphone or tablet

If you want to monitor internet usage on your smartphone or tablet, you can use the built-in tools on your device's operating system. On an iPhone, for example, go to the "Cellular" section of the Settings app to see how much data each app has used. You can also set usage limits or turn off cellular data for specific apps. Android phones have similar options in the "Data usage" section of the Settings app. You can view how much data each app is using and set limits or restrict data usage for specific apps.

To monitor data usage on Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet. Next to your carrier, tap Settings. To monitor data usage on a Pixel device, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.

To manage data usage on an iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data or Settings > Cellular.

You can also use third-party apps to monitor mobile broadband usage. It's easier on a mobile device, as you can install an app that sees all traffic that goes through your phone. Apps like DataMan Next for iPhone or My Data Manager can help you monitor what you use.

Check the Bloom Broadband ISP dashboard

To monitor your internet usage with Bloom Broadband, one of the simplest ways is to check the Bloom Broadband ISP dashboard. This can be done by logging into your internet service provider's online account system and checking the user dashboard.

On the Bloom Broadband ISP dashboard, you will be able to see your bandwidth usage, which includes both download and upload activity, as well as the total usage. This is important information to have, especially if you have a data cap on your internet plan, as it can help you avoid overage fees.

By monitoring your internet usage, you can keep track of how much data you are consuming and make adjustments if needed. For example, if you notice that your usage is consistently high, you may want to consider upgrading to an unlimited plan or finding ways to reduce your data consumption.

Additionally, monitoring your internet usage can help you identify any unauthorized use of your network. For instance, if you notice a sudden spike in your data usage, it could indicate that someone has accessed your Wi-Fi without your permission.

The Bloom Broadband ISP dashboard provides a convenient way to monitor your internet usage and ensure that you are staying within your data limits. By regularly checking the dashboard, you can make informed decisions about your internet usage and avoid unexpected charges.

Use a hardware firewall

Monitoring your internet usage is a great way to avoid overage fees and keep an eye on your bandwidth usage. One way to do this is by using a hardware firewall.

A hardware firewall is a device that sits between your modem and your internal network. All traffic passes through the device, and it can monitor traffic, protect against threats, and even take over routing functions, giving you greater control and visibility over your network.

There are two main options for setting up a hardware firewall: purchasing a dedicated firewall device or using an old computer with firewall software. A dedicated firewall, like the popular Firewalla platform, offers a small footprint, low power consumption, and the peace of mind of a warranty and tech support. It's a simple, effective solution that doesn't require much setup.

If you're more technically inclined and want to save some money, you can turn an old computer into a firewall box using software like pfSense or OPNsense. These are open-source projects that are heavily enterprise-oriented but are also freely available for home users. While this option requires more work and know-how, it gives you a powerful bandwidth monitoring and management tool with flexibility and granularity.

By using a hardware firewall, you can gain deeper insights into your network activity, protect your network from potential threats, and have more control over your routing functions. It's a great option for those who want to take their network monitoring and security to the next level.

Frequently asked questions