Android OS: Google Chrome Used 40GB in The Background Overnight

ifcw on 25/08/2018 - 08:18
Last edited 25/08/2018 - 12:51

So early this morning I was awoken by 6 or 7 text messages saying that I’ve blown my 20GB data allowance (of which I had only used 3 or 4GB) and that I’ve had extra 1GBs added for $10 - multiple times.

Sussing out the phone data settings, it shows Chrome used about 40GB in the background over yesterday and today. Ran Malwarebytes and found nothing. I wasn’t even streaming anything either before I went to bed.

So, what’s the go?!

Edit: I might’ve give my phone service provider a call to see if they can waive the extra charges?
Edit: So I spoke to my provider, who's kindly gifted me 5GB to tide me over to get me to the end of the billing period, but has also opened up a case, but said that until the billing period ends, they can't properly see/investigate. Hmm…

Mobile

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 25/08/2018 - 08:23

    It Downloaded p0*n while you were sleeping… a Phone can be stress as well

    • ifcw on 25/08/2018 - 08:34

      Damn, it watches more adult content than I do.
      Real talk though, no adult content was accessed.

  • GangGang on 25/08/2018 - 08:37
    +1

    Do you live with roommates?

  • SBOB on 25/08/2018 - 08:56
    +1

    Hot spot active?
    Should be able to see the data usage cause in settings, mobile data and then it lists usage per app…
    Easy to find a source of the excess at least.

    • ifcw on 25/08/2018 - 09:31

      Nope - excess source was Chrome.
      Opened Chrome up, and nothing was streaming or anything out of the ordinary what so ever.

      • SBOB on 25/08/2018 - 09:36

        And when you click on chrome I assume it's all background data? Maybe disable that for background data on cellular to save future problem.

        Also, do you not have wifi at home?

        • ifcw on 25/08/2018 - 12:49

          Nope, currently travelling for work a the moment.
          It's all background data-have totally disabled it! Foreground was only like 500MB.

        • SBOB on 25/08/2018 - 15:48

          @ifcw:
          500mb still seems like a bit for direct browsing (being foreground) :/

      • SBOB on 25/08/2018 - 09:37
        +4

        Also, what pages were open…

        Ill take a stab at script running on a site, likely something like crypto mining.

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 25/08/2018 - 11:54

          40 GB would have to be a record. Do you have a reference to a known script that consumes that much data?

        • ifcw on 25/08/2018 - 12:49

          @peterpeterpumpkin:
          I wouldn't have a clue..

  • hawkeye on 25/08/2018 - 09:43

    Settings/mobile network/data management/traffic rankings
    Android 6

  • ifcw on 28/08/2018 - 06:29

    So in my data usage log that's not updated, it says Akamai (web content) 31.55GB.
    What. is. that?

  • Randolph Duke on 30/08/2018 - 18:32

    Akamai is a commonly used content delivery network. Sounds like streaming to me.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join