Computer downloading twice as much as it should ?

[MrMuddle]

I'm using my wifes laptop, while mine is being repaired. I have true internet and use the newest version of Firefox, as  my browser. I also have Adblock installed, and use Avira free version for Internet protection. Whenever I download anything, it downloads over twice as much as the size of the file, for example, a 36 Mb file this morning, used 80 Mb to download. I can tell this as there is a counter on the True app that controls the internet. Is there any way I can get this to stop, and just download what I actually use ? I am on a 16 Gb a month deal, and don't want to waste the allowance.
Thanks for any replies / help.

[Guest]

The http/https, tcp/ip and other network layers add mandatory overhead to the network usage. It's never just the file you are downloading, but you also download all the network signaling, packet headers etc. information. In practice the server sends your computer a packet of information and your computer acknowledges getting it to the server. With bad connection, there is more re-sent packets.

 

More than 100% extra sounds really quite a lot of overhead. I'm thinking tcp/ip and http headers are something like 12% overhead. Then the mobile network adds it's own headers, which I don't anymore know about. 

 

I don't like to count the packets, so I got 1 year 2Mbps fully unlimited data package from dtac for 1900 baht/year. There are various different speeds available from different operators. 

 

 

 

 

 

[HooHaa]

id be more concerned over the amount it is uploading

[johng]

 
1 year 2Mbps fully unlimited data package from dtac for 1900 baht/year. There are various different speeds available from different operators. 
 

Thats seems a good deal whats the package called ? Do you need to have a post paid SIM or can you use Prepaid ?
I prefer prepaid so as not to get hit with an unexpected large charge for something I didn't use/want or do.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, johng said:

Thats seems a good deal whats the package called ? Do you need to have a post paid SIM or can you use Prepaid ?
I prefer prepaid so as not to get hit with an unexpected large charge for something I didn't use/want or do.

 

On DTAC it's called Big Dog (the year of the dog). It's pre-paid. You'll need your passport (driving licence is not enough) to register one. You can get those from selected DTAC shops.

 

I also don't fully trust the post-paid in Thailand and prefer pre-paid services :)

Here is more information along with plans from other Thai operators I collected few months ago.

https://oilinki.com/blog/1-year-unlimited-data-sim-cards-thailand

 

[johng]

On DTAC it's called Big Dog (the year of the dog). It's pre-paid. You'll need your passport (driving licence is not enough)
 

Thanks for that....They call it Golden Dog SIM on their web page.

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, johng said:

Thanks for that....They call it Golden Dog SIM on their web page.

 

That's correct. I need more coffee :)

I had difficulties to get one as the smaller, yet official, dtac shops had never heard of the package. 

They should however be able to call their own DTAC call center and find the place where you can get such and sim. 

 

 

[Pib]

If you are downloading using a VPN connection there are lots of posts on the internet about data double counting like below person talking downloads while using his PIA VPN service.   A TAP adapter is the adapter/driver loaded by your VPN service provider to make allow a VPN connection to work on your computer.

 

[Pdavies99]

Quite possibly a virus / trojan such as " Zero Access trojan" or similar, these viruses simply replicate downloaded files until your hard drive is full!

 

Very hard to get rid of and usually requires a re-format.

 

But I should say in my personal opinion that "free" antivirus programmes are generally a waste of time, why do you think they offer full paid versions (If the free version was was any good?)  Adblock is a waste of time in that it does not block everything and Avira free is also a limited programme. I suggest you purchase a genuine anti virus programme or use a genuine version of windows 10 which has in built anti virus updates etc. Failing that its a re format eventually. 

Please note I am only trying to assist and I am sure others have better advice?

Edited April 10, 2018 by Pdavies99

[MrMuddle]

1 hour ago, Pdavies99 said:

Quite possibly a virus / trojan such as " Zero Access trojan" or similar, these viruses simply replicate downloaded files until your hard drive is full!

 

Very hard to get rid of and usually requires a re-format.

 

But I should say in my personal opinion that "free" antivirus programmes are generally a waste of time, why do you think they offer full paid versions (If the free version was was any good?)  Adblock is a waste of time in that it does not block everything and Avira free is also a limited programme. I suggest you purchase a genuine anti virus programme or use a genuine version of windows 10 which has in built anti virus updates etc. Failing that its a re format eventually. 

Please note I am only trying to assist and I am sure others have better advice?

Every time I've used paid for AV programs, my computers became unusable - you need a degree in computing to understand most of them !  lol
I've found adblock blocks everything I need it to, can't remember ever seeing any adverts, even on Facebook.
It seems I don't have Zero Access Trojan - I used ESETSirefefCleaner to check it and nothing was found.

[MrMuddle]

6 hours ago, HooHaa said:

id be more concerned over the amount it is uploading

Why ?

[Grumpy Duck]

First, i am guessing you are using PCs not MAC

9 hours ago, oilinki said:

On DTAC it's called Big Dog (the year of the dog). It's pre-paid. You'll need your passport (driving licence is not enough) to register one. You can get those from selected DTAC shops.

 

I also don't fully trust the post-paid in Thailand and prefer pre-paid services :)

Here is more information along with plans from other Thai operators I collected few months ago.

https://oilinki.com/blog/1-year-unlimited-data-sim-cards-thailand

 

In my experience free internet security is usually worse than none at all. That could possibly explain your download bloating or, you are possibly downloading zip files and the counter may show the unzipped size. 

 

Next, I started having problems with firefox several years ago. I recommend opera. A most secure browser. IE is the only browser supporting flash and java now. 

 

Are you planning to stay in Thailand a while? Why not get cable internet? I have TRUE post paid unlimited access internet rated 70 mbps. had it over 2 years I have 2 wireless connections 1 @ 5mpbs the other @ 2.5mbps as well as 5 ports for LAN. Cost is about ฿850 a month. Much less than either of my portable aircards.  

[Grumpy Duck]

9 hours ago, oilinki said:

The http/https, tcp/ip and other network layers add mandatory overhead to the network usage. It's never just the file you are downloading, but you also download all the network signaling, packet headers etc. information. In practice the server sends your computer a packet of information and your computer acknowledges getting it to the server. With bad connection, there is more re-sent packets.

 

More than 100% extra sounds really quite a lot of overhead. I'm thinking tcp/ip and http headers are something like 12% overhead. Then the mobile network adds it's own headers, which I don't anymore know about. 

 

I don't like to count the packets, so I got 1 year 2Mbps fully unlimited data package from dtac for 1900 baht/year. There are various different speeds available from different operators. 

 

 

 

 

 

Good explanation.

Personally I think his “free” internet security could be problematic, and for the past year firefox has been giving me headaches. I prefer the opera more secure browser. 

 

For 2 years I have been using TRUE cable. Rated at 72mbps (often tests faster) 2 wifi feeds and 5 LAN. Few network problems in 2 years about ฿850 a month. I would like to switch but my building is contracted with TRUE. 

[Guest]

37 minutes ago, Grumpy Duck said:

Are you planning to stay in Thailand a while? Why not get cable internet? I have TRUE post paid unlimited access internet rated 70 mbps. had it over 2 years I have 2 wireless connections 1 @ 5mpbs the other @ 2.5mbps as well as 5 ports for LAN. Cost is about ฿850 a month. Much less than either of my portable aircards.  

I'm hopefully not going to stay here much longer, but who knows. 

 

I had True while I lived in Bangkok. Tot ADSL here in Phuket. However the line was crappy and TOT was unable to fix it. Therefore I sought for alternatives. Now the mobile link I use works just the way ADSL / fiber would work. The download speed is half what I had with ADSL, but it doesn't really matter. Latency to the network is slightly lower with this mobile connection.

 

The dtac 2Mbps mobile connection has served me well for the past 3-4 months. The cost for this is 150 baht/month (1900/year pre-paid) and I can take the connection with me, in case I move to another location. 

 

I think it's pretty sweet deal, especially as I'm not willing to invest to my current location more than I really need to. 

 

[HooHaa]

16 hours ago, MrMuddle said:

Why ?

because if infected your computer could be uploading your personal or sensitive information from its hard drive to someone with nefarious purposes.

[HooHaa]

21 hours ago, Pib said:

If you are downloading using a VPN connection there are lots of posts on the internet about data double counting like below person talking downloads while using his PIA VPN service.   A TAP adapter is the adapter/driver loaded by your VPN service provider to make allow a VPN connection to work on your computer.

 

yes, i have seen this with du meter

 

[johng]

On 4/10/2018 at 12:39 PM, oilinki said:

On DTAC it's called Big Dog (the year of the dog). It's pre-paid. You'll need your passport (driving licence is not enough) to register one. You can get those from selected DTAC shops.

 

Got me a "Golden Dog" yesterday.

 

[Guest]

30 minutes ago, johng said:

Got me a "Golden Dog" yesterday.

 

 

Great. Please share your experiences with it, either on this topic or better yet create a new one. 

 

I'm currently using my Golden dog on my phone and tether the internet connection via bluetooth to my laptop.

 

It's nice to have a steady speed internet connection, regardless of the location while in Thailand. 

 

[johng]

The very next day after buying my "Golden Dog" there was a huge thunder storm, electricity went out for a couple of hours and my ADSL line down all weekend...The Dtac SIM worked perfectly as backup though I didn't thrash it trying to watch 4K TV ,torrent a hugh file or do any speed tests, had no problems setting a hotspot on the phone and sharing connection to a tablet.