Is Someone Hijacking My Internet? My Connection Went from 900 Mbps to 4 Mbps Overnight

In a perplexing situation that seems almost straight out of a tech thriller, I’ve found myself grappling with a dramatic drop in my internet speed. Just a few months ago, I was experiencing robust internet performance with CenturyLink fiber, averaging around 950 Mbps in the Pacific Northwest. However, recently, my connection has taken an unexpected nosedive, leaving me to wonder if I’m the victim of internet siphoning.

The Sudden Speed Drop

Out of the blue, my internet speed plummeted to a mere 4 Mbps. It’s not just a consistently slow speed; it fluctuates unpredictably. One moment, my speed test might show 20 Mbps, the next it jumps to 100 Mbps or dips down to 1.5 Mbps—all while upload speeds remain astonishingly high, occasionally hitting 900 Mbps.

Troubleshooting with CenturyLink

In a bid to resolve this mystery, I reached out to CenturyLink’s customer service. During the initial call, the technician performed a series of diagnostics and concluded that everything appeared to be in order. To take it a step further, they dispatched a technician to my home.

Upon inspection, the technician replaced the modem, the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), and even upgraded the wiring to new CAT6 cables—all to no avail. We tested the connection via ethernet, which yielded even worse results compared to Wi-Fi.

Throughout the troubleshooting, the technician repeatedly asked if I was utilizing a VPN. Given my limited knowledge of VPNs (I hardly know what they are), I insisted I was not using one. The technician seemed stumped as he left, leaving me feeling more confused than when he arrived.

Captcha Dilemmas and Suspicious Activity

To add to my concerns, I’ve noticed that when I search for something in Chrome, I am frequently greeted with a captcha that warns of suspicious activity. This raised an alarming question—could someone else be using my connection?

Am I overlooking a potential VPN setup I’m unaware of, or is someone illegally accessing my internet? My lack of technical expertise leaves me feeling helpless and bewildered.

Seeking Solutions

If you’ve experienced similar issues or have insights into what might be causing this internet mystery, your advice would be invaluable. As someone who is not well-versed in tech terminology, I’m at a loss and would greatly appreciate any guidance