Huge spike in WiFi Data Usage

Thanks for the reply. 

The only thing that is different now that you mention it is, I have Hulu. I noticed it automatically switches to 4k streaming, and I can't switch it to a lower quality. Yesterday Cox app showed I used 120GB of data, which is extremely high. I watched Hulu for around 3 hours, and even at 8gb/hour, that doesn't add up. Other days I use ~50Gb data, and then get spikes to 80-90GB, but a couple months back, that number was closer to ~30GB. 

I also reset the wifi password to see if that will cause any changes. I just got a notice from Cox again saying I used 75% of my data, and there's 15 days left in the billing cycle. I am honestly not sure what is causing this, because even the 4k streaming, it does not make sense.

Hello.

Thank you for being a part of the Cox family. I'm sorry you are experiencing high data usage. I would like to investigate and provide more information for you. Let's start with your full name and complete address sent to Cox.help@cox.com.

What are you going to tell me that I don't already know? I've contacted Cox support multiple times, only for them to tell me everything I already know, which is the information shown in the data meter. Can you show me HOW my data is being used i.e. with which device, how much data, or even app specific, etc.? If not, then it's just another waste of time. 

Do you use the PANO modem? If so, the Pano App can actually break down which device is using how much data. 

Hulu: 1.35 GB per hour to stream Hulu's catalogue in HD, 3.6 GB per hour to live stream, and 7.2 GB per hour for 4K content. 

3 hours should only be 21.7gb of data at 4k, make sure however that you don't just turn off the tv, but that you end the hulu app and exit it properly. 

Also, do you have security cameras? Blink/Ring? They can use an excessive amount of data if you have the resolution set to maximum, and you are saving the info to the cloud. I have BLINK, and do NOT have a subscription, I have the SYNC module with 256gb thumb drive and it can store an inordinate amount of data, so, no need for subscription eating my wallet, and all my videos are saved till I no longer want them, and delete them. 

Other things to look for, turn off ONEDRIVE on ALL of your devices! Gaming systems can use a lot of data when playing online games. Games that are totally stored and played locally don't use nearly as much data. 

If there is any more I can do to assist, let me know. I am a computer engineer with a specialty in analog and digital communications, and worked for Cox for over 16 years, 12 years of that in the Data Tier 2 department, so trust me, I KNOW data, and can definitely help you determine what's using it. 

I appreciate your reply, again, and the information. 

I believe I have the Cox Pano Wifi app. The modem/router I am using is through Cox. It is an ARRIS XB7. However, in the app, I do not see a place where it shows the data each connected device is using. When I click on a device, it only shows the following options:

• Assign this device
• Troubleshoot Device
• Device Details
  • Device Name
  • Device Type
  • Hostname
  • Brand
  • Model
  • OS
  • Connection Type
  • Connection Point
  • MAC & IP 

If I can see the data each of these devices are using, it will be immensely helpful. 

And as mention, even with the added Hulu usage, it does not account for so much data being used. I have a Ring camera system as well as Reolink camera set up. These have been set up for well over 6+ months, and I've only noticed a spike in data usage in the last two months. 

I will double check for Onedrive.

I don't game online. I do play my PS5 maybe 1-3x a month, and it is connected to the internet. I have a habit of keeping it in rest mode, but have now turned it completely off after use.

The biggest thing that can help is to figure out how much data my connected devices are using, however, with the current app I am using, I can't seem to find that data.

---

And something to add... I changed my PW on 08/04 and stopped using Hulu. Here is my data usage since then. It's a massive difference but I can't help but feel like Hulu wasn't the only thing using all this data here... 

Actually their data tracking is monitored by a 3rd party and is known to be 99.99% accurate. I have verified it against my router logs, (Netgear RAXE300), and found it to be spot on. 

I would be careful however what you post, saying a company is known to be scamming customer's is actually something they can sue you for, it's called defamation and is also libel. 

Hg

Its not Libel or defamation if its true. I can post more. There's an current Court Action Lawsuit right now as well.

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-13-million-settlement-cox-communications-disguising

Your link has to do with fees being disguised as price increases for cable tv. this has nothing to do with data usage, nor data monitoring.  It wasn't a class action suit either, it was the attorney general - "resolving an investigation and lawsuit alleging the telecommunications company failed to adequately disclose additional fees to customers.  ". I guess either you didn't read your own link, or figured other wouldn't read it and simply accept your word. 

I've just posted discussion with the same issue(s). Unethical and shady practices to say the least!

Nessa  I'd be more than happy to look into this for you.  Please send me an email at cox.help@cox.com and include your full name and address.  Thanks!  

How about looking into MY suspicious data usage spiked too?  

Hello. We can certainly assist with your concerns as well. Please contact us with a link to this thread so we can get started. You can reach us on Twitter at CoxHelp, visit us on Facebook, or at cox.help@cox.com. Thank you.

I'm in discussion with you, Raquel, via that email address you provided.  You are also aware that I'll be filing a complaint with the FCC and the BBB on Wednesday if my problem isn't addressed to my satisfaction.  Too many Cox customers experiencing this same issue to be coincidence.

Did you file the complaint already with the FCC and the BBB? just wondering because my  issue hasn't been resolve, it has been almost a year 

No I am still experiencing the same issues 

Contact Raquel at Cox.Help@cox.com.  She helped me when Cox dumped over 400GB into my data usage meter overnight.  Good luck!

If you have a pano modem, look at the data usage by device. If you have a third party router, you still should be able to monitor your data usage through it, my RAXE300 can do so. 

I do have a pano modem but cant see data usage by device on the app. do you know how?

Yes they may help you solve the issue for 1 month and it goes back to the same problem weeks later ,,,,,plain and simple they just want you to get unlimited so they charge you more monthly 

Are you using a pano modem, or your own modem/router? Cox's data monitor is checked by a third party for accuracy, and is 99.99% accurate. I have tested it versus my Netgear RAXE300 router and it's dead on. 

Do you have amazon echo or dot? They can go into a loop sending and receiving audio to amazon and using up a LOT of data, as well as sharing your data with other amazon customers. They say it's minimal, but how can you tell?