Internet Monitoring Software: Is Your Privacy At Risk?

There are many programs that can monitor internet usage, which is especially important if you want to avoid overage fees or throttling by your internet service provider. Some of the most popular programs include GlassWire, NetGuard, BitMeter II, and SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack. These tools can help you monitor data usage, set limits, and even block individual apps. They provide detailed information about data usage, such as the websites and applications using the most data, and offer features like alerts and usage reports. Additionally, you can also monitor internet usage through your router's control panel or your internet service provider's dashboard.

Monitor Internet Usage with a Router

Routers and modems often have built-in tools that allow you to monitor internet usage. This includes seeing how much data each device on your network uses, setting usage limits, and restricting access to certain websites.

To access these tools, you'll need to log in to your router or modem's web-based interface. You can usually find out how to log in from the documentation that came with the device, or by searching online. You'll also need your IP address, which you can find by Googling "what is my IP address".

Once you're logged in, you can go to the router's settings to see usage information about all connected devices.

Monitor with an ISP's Home Network Management App

Monitoring your home network can be done in many ways. One of the easiest ways is to use your ISP's home network management app. Many ISPs offer apps that allow you to view your data usage, set usage limits, and even set up parental controls to restrict access to certain websites. These apps often have features that allow you to manage your WiFi network, such as setting up guest networks or scheduling times when the WiFi is turned off.

For example, the Race CommandIQ app tracks your data usage and provides insights into which apps are using the most data. It also allows you to set usage limits and alerts to help you stay within your data limit.

Another option is to use third-party tools like GlassWire, NetGuard, and BitMeter II. These tools can be used to monitor internet usage in real-time, set usage limits, create customised access profiles, and monitor daily data consumption for both active and idle programs and applications.

Use Third-Party Tools

There are several third-party tools available that can help you monitor your internet usage. These tools are especially useful if you want to avoid overage fees, investigate any unusual patterns in your data usage, or are simply curious about what's happening on your home network. Here are some of the most popular third-party tools:

GlassWire

GlassWire is a popular free monitoring tool that runs on your computer and allows you to monitor your internet usage in real time. It provides detailed information about data transferred, including which websites and applications use the most data. GlassWire also has features like alerts that notify you when you're approaching your data limit, and the ability to set usage limits for specific devices or applications.

NetGuard

NetGuard is a free app available for monitoring internet usage on Windows OS and Android devices. It helps you monitor monthly internet traffic and set traffic limits to avoid going over your monthly bandwidth threshold. NetGuard offers a reliable notification system and an on-screen floating window to monitor all activity in real time. It also provides graphs and charts to help you plan ahead and check past and present bandwidth usage.

BitMeter II

BitMeter II is an interactive and vibrant data usage monitoring app. It displays data usage information using a coloured scrolling graph and updates almost every second. It also provides a numeric representation of the current internet speed. BitMeter II allows you to export usage history and data logs to an Excel sheet, making it easy to keep track of your internet usage and avoid overage fees.

Bandwidth+

Bandwidth+ is a monitoring tool for Mac users, who often have limited options when it comes to tracking apps. It is incredibly easy to use; just install it, and you'll find it on your status bar. Bandwidth+ allows you to quickly glance at your internet activity, including downloads, uploads, and total data usage. If your iPhone and Mac are physically connected and on the same internet connection, Bandwidth+ can also help monitor your iPhone data usage.

SolarWinds Solutions

SolarWinds offers a range of network bandwidth monitoring tools to suit different needs. Their solutions include the SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack, SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted, SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer, and SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. These tools provide features such as performance analysis dashboards, alerts, reports, traffic shaping policies, and more. SolarWinds offers free trials for many of their products, so you can try them out before purchasing.

ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer

ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer is a real-time bandwidth monitoring tool that supports various flow protocols, including NetFlow, sFlow, IPFIX, NetStream, and more. It enables you to analyze router traffic, set network bandwidth utilization limits, and create bandwidth capacity planning reports. ManageEngine also offers security features, such as threat detection and network anomaly identification.

Nagios Network Analyzer

Nagios Network Analyzer is a powerful and intuitive web interface that provides optimal performance and speed for monitoring internet usage. It offers a central view of your network traffic and bandwidth data, along with potential network compromises. It also includes an alerting system that can notify you when usage restrictions are triggered.

Zabbix Network Monitoring

Zabbix is a network monitoring tool that allows you to control and monitor performance metrics and occurrences in your network. It can help you detect packet loss, memory utilization rates, and free disk space. Zabbix also offers task automation features, custom report generation, and third-party software integration for enhanced functionality.

SLT Usage Meter

SLT Usage Meter is a simple software that helps monitor broadband connection and track internet usage. It categorizes usage into Total Usage, Peak Usage, and Off-Peak Usage. SLT Usage Meter allows you to monitor consumption live and provides a daily internet usage summary.

Monitor on Your Smartphone

If you want to monitor internet usage on your smartphone, you can use the built-in tools on your phone's operating system. On an iPhone, 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 a similar function in the "Data usage" section of the Settings app.

There are also third-party apps that can help you monitor your data usage. For example, "Check Internet Data Usage" lets you track data usage and Wi-Fi use. You input your data limits manually, and the app will notify you when your limit has been exceeded. "GlassWire" is another popular app that runs on both computers and smartphones. It provides detailed information about data transferred, including which websites and applications use the most data. It also has features like alerts that notify you when you're approaching your data limit.

Monitor by Device

Monitoring internet usage by device is a useful way to keep track of your bandwidth consumption and identify any potential issues, such as malware or unauthorized users. Here are some methods and tools to help you monitor internet usage by device:

Router Level Monitoring

One of the most effective ways to monitor internet usage by device is through your router. Many routers have built-in tools that allow you to see how much data each connected device is using. You can usually access these tools by logging into your router's web-based interface or through a companion smartphone app. This method provides real-time data and allows you to drill down to the device level, giving you detailed insights into your network's bandwidth consumption.

Third-Party Tools

If your router doesn't have adequate bandwidth monitoring features, you can use third-party tools like GlassWire or NetWorx. These tools run on your computer and monitor internet usage in real-time, providing detailed information about data transfer, including which devices, applications, or programs are using the most data. They also offer features like alerts and the ability to set usage limits for specific devices.

ISP's Dashboard

While not as detailed as router-level monitoring, checking your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) dashboard can give you an overview of your overall bandwidth usage. You can log into your ISP's online account system and view your usage stats, which may include upload, download, and total usage. However, the downside is that the data may not be updated in real-time and might only provide a broad view of your bandwidth consumption.

Hardware Firewall

For more advanced users, you can add a dedicated hardware firewall between your modem and your internal network. This method allows for more comprehensive network monitoring and security. You can purchase a commercial firewall like Firewalla or create your own using software like pfSense or OPNsense on an old computer. This approach gives you more control over monitoring and managing your network's bandwidth usage.

Device-Level Monitoring

While not as effective in today's multi-device households, you can also monitor internet usage at the device level, particularly for personal computers. Tools like GlassWire and NetWorx can be installed on individual devices to track their internet usage. This method may be useful if you want to perform deep forensics on a specific device to understand which applications are using the most data.

Frequently asked questions