Data consumption sky rocketed after Google detected a security issue on Chrome

Hey hamsini30!

Thanks for the detailed information. I had the same question as Calvin_BT.

Likewise, do you always keep open tabs in Chrome? I know the Google Chrome processes can sometimes overload the Mac when this is happening.

If this is the case, have you cleared your browser’s history, relaunched while holding the Shift key? This is a good test.

Can you say, also, if the same behavior occurs when on the same sites in Safari?

What do you show in System Preferences > Users and Groups > Login Items?

Is Google Chrome also up to date?

Likewise, with the same browser/tabs open, what do you see in the Network pane of Activity Monitor? (Finder > Go > Utilities > Activity Monitor).

If issues persist, and you normally keep different tabs open, can you close all, and open one at a time while watching Activity Monitor to see if a specific site is using all your network resources?

Extensions and adware was my first guess as well, but as you have none Installed, that most likely rules that out.

One more question, when you do have Chrome open, what other apps do you typically have open? And likewise, if you quit each app, one by one, while using Activity Monitor > Network, do you notice any difference in the network activity?

As for Java, I don’t believe it’s supported anymore, so I’d try uninstalling it for sure, restarting and test. This may or may not be related but definitely could be.

Safe Mode and testing in a new user account, and/or even another network are all good isolation steps as well, hope that helps, let me know how it goes!

• Re-enable it, then upgrade it to macOS Big Sur 11.4.
• On Chrome, Person 2 is used to use for Chrome when Logged out from the google account.
• On Chrome, Report an issue.
• Try clicking on Java, What does it show? Post a screenshot by pressing shift+command+3 at the same time.

Hey again! I’m not sure that is necessary, although it does appear to be related to Java/Oracle and not JavaScript, seeing the jdk etc. The last I knew of uninstalling it only consisted of those two locations. I just looked up their instructions, and it appears the same as I remember. As long as you have a backup, then I’m sure it’s okay, if the OS doesn’t like it, it’ll let you know, but again, probably not necessary, 🙂.

Another thing to ask, which may or may not be related, as you mentioned plugging it in triggering data consumption as well:

Are there any connected external devices? (Such as hard drives, monitors, even headphones)? Also, what Bluetooth devices, if any do you keep around?

What do you see in System Preferences > Energy Saver settings?

Likewise, we’re you able to click the Network pane of Activity Monitor, while using the Mac, as said earlier? (I did see the screen shots of the other app, but Activity Monitor May be more accurate), make sure to click View > Show All Processes.

Cheers.

Hey again! No worries!

I know Little Snitch can come in useful, but I have seen it corrupt network connections permanently until an erase/install is needed. I know this was happening before you downloaded that, but more apps like that probably won’t help the issue.

Anyhow, if the data consumption was low while in safe mode, this would probably mean you have software installed that’s causing the problem, so that’s why this is a good test.

Likewise, to test in a new user, you can create a new admin account in System Preferences > Users and Groups “+”, then log out, log into the new user.

I’d probably take a screen shot of those login items as well, remove them all by highlighting and hitting the “-“ below, restart and test.

But also, have you happened to uninstall and reinstall Chrome? (When I do this, I not only move from Applications to Trash, I also remove the Chrome/Google folders from:

/Application Support/(Google/Chrome)

~/Application Support/(Google/Chrome)

Restart the Mac and reinstall Chrome, this may be the key, but maybe not.

Personally, I like the Safari Interface, but do use Chrome at times, I guess it’s just a matter of preference, but knowing if the same happens there is a good step.

To uninstall Java, remove it from these locations:

Open Finder > Go > Computer > Library > Internet Plug-ins > Java/Oracle

Open Finder > Go > Computer > Library > Preference Panes > Java/Oracle

Then restart your Mac, that should do it, and may be a good idea considering the data usage, I might even try that first.

This should do it for Java, unless their process has changed since.

While in the /Library, I might also check the contents of Launch Agents, Launch Daemons and Startup Items, look to see if you have any possible problematic software there installed, e.g. old apps, apps you don’t need or use anymore, apps that caused issues in the past, (It might say the developers name instead of the programs name). Remove/Restart.

Cheers.

No worries, glad it worked out!