Is Someone Hijacking My Internet? A Frustrating Tale of Sudden Speed Drops

Have you ever experienced an inexplicable drop in your internet speed? One user recently found themselves grappling with just that. Living in the Pacific Northwest with CenturyLink fiber internet, they enjoyed lightning-fast speeds of around 950 Mbps for nearly nine months—until everything changed overnight.

Suddenly, their internet reduced to a frustratingly slow 4 Mbps. Speed tests would fluctuate wildly, sometimes showing speeds of 20 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or even 1.5 Mbps. Surprisingly, upload speeds remained robust, occasionally reaching 900 Mbps, while download speeds could barely register.

Seeking answers, they reached out to CenturyLink for help. Despite running diagnostics that revealed no apparent issues, the situation remained unresolved. A technician was dispatched, and after an extensive inspection, which included replacing the modem and the ONT, everything appeared to be in good order. Yet, the internet experience didn’t improve. Even when connected directly via Ethernet, the speeds were dismal, and the Wi-Fi performance was even worse.

The technician’s repeated questioning about VPN usage left our user confused. Their limited knowledge about VPNs made it difficult to answer. It raised an interesting question: could someone else be accessing their internet connection?

Adding to their concerns, they encountered frequent CAPTCHA prompts while browsing in Chrome, indicating potential suspicious activity. This unsettling phenomenon led them to ponder if someone had accessed their network without their knowledge.

As they seek solutions, they express their frustration and uncertainty about the situation. They’re hoping to find clarity on whether someone could be siphoning their internet or if there’s another underlying issue at play.

In the age of technology, these kinds of issues can feel overwhelming. If you’ve encountered similar internet speed problems or have insights into potential fixes, sharing your knowledge could make a difference. Stay tuned for updates as this user continues to navigate their internet woes.