Thread: SFTP- Can my ISP see the amount downloaded? (and what can hide it?)

I just got a reason to download a lot of stuff, which is nice since I spent around 10 days building up a very sweet ratio everywhere. I was wondering if my isp can see the amount of data I download when connected to the SFTP of my seedbox. I did a search here and on Google, but it seems that most people are concerned with their content being seen, not their amount being seen! I'm not worried about content being seen by my isp, as I know that it's other companies that report "certain activities" to your isp to make them send you "the dreaded letter". I'm more concerned about the amount being seen, as I received a flyer in the mail from my isp around a year ago or more about "typical internet usage", which they consider to be 32 gigs a month or under at that time. I'll have to see if they have raised it yet. I know that if they send me another one it won't be a big deal, as it's been a good while since I received the only one they have ever sent to me, but I don't want it to happen every month! The things I download are usually around and up to a little over 4gb a piece, so in case I snatch a lot off of the seedbox ftp, I'm wondering if there is a way to mask the amount downloaded. I don't know a whole lot about proxies and all of that, but I believe that I heard those won't hide the amount downloaded. Anyone have any helpful hints? ^^

Yes the amount you upload and download will be seen, just not what it is that has been uploaded or downloaded.

Originally Posted by Deatherage

Yes the amount you upload and download will be seen, just not what it is that has been uploaded or downloaded.

That's what I figured. Anything that you know of that can hide the amount? I'm looking to see what my isp says "typical usage" is now.

Nothing can hide the amount. I dont know where you are or what ISP it is. But if you are in the states and its Charter...it is 250 GB, and they will make you get a "business" line, which is unlimited, if you go over the "typical ussage" 3 months in a row.

Originally Posted by Deatherage

Nothing can hide the amount. I dont know where you are or what ISP it is. But if you are in the states and its Charter...it is 250 GB, and they will make you get a "business" line, which is unlimited, if you go over the "typical ussage" 3 months in a row.

Suddenlink, in the USA. 10mbps package.

Edit: Seems like it is 250gb for me now as well, which makes me feel a little better. I guess they caught up with the modern age of streaming services and such. Hopefully I can stay under it, if not I'll have to figure something out. :P

Originally Posted by Deatherage

Yes the amount you upload and download will be seen, just not what it is that has been uploaded or downloaded.

Yup. Pretty much everything he said. You wont be able to hide the amount from your ISPs.

Wow, 250GB of data transfer is pretty low. That is only like less than 1mbps every month. Maybe you can try the claiming that they are "False Advertising" through their hotline?

Originally Posted by trinity

Yup. Pretty much everything he said. You wont be able to hide the amount from your ISPs.

Wow, 250GB of data transfer is pretty low. That is only like less than 1mbps every month. Maybe you can try the claiming that they are "False Advertising" through their hotline?

Hmm, I didn't ever think about it that way!