Thread: Does Keeping (Modem/Router)On Generate Bill ?

Hello Every one,

I have configured my ADSL Router for PPPoE connection. so that i dont have to type the username and password every time, but if i keep the modem or router on all the time, even when i am not using computer, will this increase my kbs used.

There is some small exchange all the time to keep the connection alive - it is small and ideally should not bother you. At most it will add 8~10 kB in the whole month.

But it is safer to switch off the modem when not in use.

Also if you have some applications running,
they can update automatically, like Windows Automatic Update. AV/ etc.
Also keeping the modem/system on , continously, exposes you to
probing by malicious software/applications. .
If you need to keep the system on, better to remove the Rj11 from
Adsl ModemPort, when not in use.
If you switch off the system/modem etc when not required
you contribute to Ecology, by not using energy ( electric current).
May be your electricity bill also will be less for this month!

Originally Posted by just4kix

There is some small exchange all the time to keep the connection alive - it is small and ideally should not bother you. At most it will add 8~10 kB in the whole month.

But it is safer to switch off the modem when not in use.

Dear i m facing the same problem....! and u know how much i have been charged daily...! its 40 MB AVG. Daily...

i start my pc at 2:30 AM and put it off at 07:50 AM. as i have night unlimited, but i start my modem at nearly 12 or 1 at night. now u say what is the solution....!

Originally Posted by rajesh_psycho

Dear i m facing the same problem....! and u know how much i have been charged daily...! its 40 MB AVG. Daily...

i start my pc at 2:30 AM and put it off at 07:50 AM. as i have night unlimited, but i start my modem at nearly 12 or 1 at night. now u say what is the solution....!

See if this helps:
http://www.indiabroadband.net/broadb...2-am-8-am.html (Automatic rebooting of router at 2 AM and 8 AM)

http://www.indiabroadband.net/broadb...e-manager.html (Ultimate Night Usage Manager.)

Computeractive magazine says-modems should not be switched on off frequently otherwise they will have malfunctioning problems.This is news for me.Any body having an opinion on this with references,please

Why would anyone want to switch that modem on all the time? Just turn it off and turn it on only when needed.

Originally Posted by iChaitanya

Why would anyone want to switch that modem on all the time? Just turn it off and turn it on only when needed.

Very well said..dear.....! it seems u dont have night unlimited ......! else u should have understood the pain of getting up at 2:00 AM.

Originally Posted by rajesh_psycho

Very well said..dear.....! it seems u dont have night unlimited ......! else u should have understood the pain of getting up at 2:00 AM.

You can switch on the modem just before going to sleep. This way you can reduce the time the internet connection is open.

Originally Posted by just4kix

You can switch on the modem just before going to sleep. This way you can reduce the time the internet connection is open.

well have a look at level #4 i have already done that ..!

Originally Posted by rajesh_psycho

well have a look at level #4 i have already done that ..!

I too have a Home 500 C connection. When I am at home, my connection is always on. I see very small usage when it is idle - just 2-3 KB per hour.

If you are having large usage even when internet connection (read PC) is idle while modem is on, then it can mean one or more of the following:

a) You have opted for Windows auto updates
b) Your AV software may be downloading latest signatures
c) You are having browser helper objects (BHO) that are continuously running backgoround searches
d) Malware/Adware, cookies

Do a computer scan and eliminate all possibilities. 40MB daily during idle periods is not possible by any means.

Originally Posted by just4kix

I too have a Home 500 C connection. When I am at home, my connection is always on. I see very small usage when it is idle - just 2-3 KB per hour.

If you are having large usage even when internet connection (read PC) is idle while modem is on, then it can mean one or more of the following:

a) You have opted for Windows auto updates
b) Your AV software may be downloading latest signatures
c) You are having browser helper objects (BHO) that are continuously running backgoround searches
d) Malware/Adware, cookies

Do a computer scan and eliminate all possibilities. 40MB daily during idle periods is not possible by any means.

Well thanks for ur reply....! let me clear some doubts....!


1. My pc has been put to auto wake at 02:10 A.M.

2. I put ON the BSNL Router at 12 or 1 at midnight (before going to sleep).

3. My PC has been put to auto shutdown at 07:50 A.M. but i switch OFF my Router nearly at 08:15 to 08:30 A.M.

So, even after this i see at the BSNL usage records it showed (see attachment).

I have been charged at the time when my pc is switched OFF. I have wireless security enabled with WEP Key and my Firewall and NAT is also ON, with my router default login username & password changed.

There is definitely some issue if your PC is totally idle and still showing usage. At my home, I have wireless and it is always on all the time. Since my BSNL line problem was resolved, I have rarely got broken connection so I don't have exact values to prove. But if you look at the attachment below, you can see that my usage is all legitimate and nowhere as high as yours.

Yesterday, I switched on the modem at 9:40 pm and did not use the internet at all. Just to test. In the period from 9:40 pm to 2:06 am, the usage was 1641 KB. Here are the results.

Originally Posted by just4kix

Yesterday, I switched on the modem at 9:40 pm and did not use the internet at all. Just to test. In the period from 9:40 pm to 2:06 am, the usage was 1641 KB. Here are the results.

that is what i m asking dear...that why, i have been charged more...!

@rajesh_psycho, you are being charged because there is some valid exchage going on in your PC.

1. Virus/Malware/Adware are the first suspects.
2. Second could be automatic updates but I think you said that you have turned them off.

On its own, it is impossible for 41MB exchange in the time period that you mentioned. Mine is just 1.6 MB in 4+ hours - yours is 40+ MB in an hour or so.

yes.. mostly virus,spyware etc.. install wireshark and see to which ip traffic is being sent to..

Originally Posted by just4kix

@rajesh_psycho, you are being charged because there is some valid exchage going on in your PC.

1. Virus/Malware/Adware are the first suspects.
2. Second could be automatic updates but I think you said that you have turned them off.

On its own, it is impossible for 41MB exchange in the time period that you mentioned. Mine is just 1.6 MB in 4+ hours - yours is 40+ MB in an hour or so.

OKAY so u mean to say i m N00b....thanks then it may be....! When i have disclosed all the facts then there is no question of all these:

1. Virus/Malware/Adware are the first suspects. (If pc is shut down b4 08:00 then no spyware can use it...!)
2. Second could be automatic updates but I think you said that you have turned them off. (Not possible in Shutdown pc)

If pc is shut down b4 08:00 then no spyware can use it...!

i know its not possible ...... and if it have been possible then i would not have asked u all about a solution....! thanks ....! i dont need any more help for u all guys...!

oh sorry.. didnt read the shutdown part.. in that case, try changing your WEP key....could be that somebody got to know your WEP key and maybe using your internet..

Originally Posted by superprash2003

oh sorry.. didnt read the shutdown part.. in that case, try changing your WEP key....could be that somebody got to know your WEP key and maybe using your internet..

changed it thrics in the past 10 days...! i guess my connection is NOT been hacked...! but on the contrary i didnt know why its happening...! but for the time being i have removed the Always On and made it on demand....and its okay now....with the bridge type conn....!

Originally Posted by rajesh_psycho

changed it thrics in the past 10 days...! i guess my connection is NOT been hacked...! but on the contrary i didnt know why its happening...! but for the time being i have removed the Always On and made it on demand....and its okay now....with the bridge type conn....!

when next time u install fresh windows xp, then try this option and see

well if you want to use ALways ON mode, you could try disabling Wifi on the router and then watch.. i have a feeling somebody is messing around with your wifi.. even though you change WEP many times, if he figure it out once, he can figure it out always.. i.e. if your using WEP

thanks everyone for ur sincere solutions...!

Let me put an end to this...! thanks anyways...!