Why is your computer uploading data all the time?

Many applications wish to "report home" with information on what they're up to. If you're only experiencing small amounts of upload traffic, it could be something as harmless as background services for network protocols that are built in to your operating system. If this is true, you should not worry.

If you are on a home network with more than one computer and you are not uploading significant amounts of data, the computers may be simply talking to each other, depending on what operating system they are using. If this is true, you should not worry.

If you notice traffic on your computer and have any file-sharing programs open, most (if not all) file-sharing programs require you to upload your files to other people using the same program. Other people have to upload so that you may download from them and the opposite is true. You must upload so that they may download from you.

If your notice the traffic on your modem and you have a wireless access point on your network, make sure to put a passWord on your wireless network. Anyone with a wireless card can connect to your network if it is unsecured.

If your internet Service Provider (ISP) is a cable company (such as Comcast, Shaw, etc) and you are looking at the activity light on your modem, that activity light will often show activity for your neighborhood, not just yourself. The cause for this is simply just the way that cable networks are designed. If this is true, you should not worry.

If your computer is uploading significant amounts of data and you do not have any file-sharing programs open or any other applications that use the internet, you might want to check for viruses and spyware. Many viruses and spyware will use up your internet connection to report malicious information to a server. If this is true, look for anti-virus and/or anti-spyware software and scan your computer or talk to your local computer shop about virus/spyware removal services.

If none of this helps, go to the discussion page and tell us more about your question.