This situation could mean several things. For instance: a virus or "spyware" application might have infected your computer and started generating high levels of Internet traffic, or someone else might be using your Internet connection without your knowledge. To help guard against those issues, please consider the following steps.

• If you have a wireless router, you may have unauthorized users logging onto your account. Ensure that your router is encrypted or password-protected by visiting the Web site of your router's manufacturer.
• Viruses and spyware applications can, without your knowledge, generate excessive Internet traffic. Install and regularly update your computer’s security software to minimize the risk of your Internet connection being used by an outside party for unauthorized purposes. Suddenlink offers a free security package for qualifying customers. To learn more, visit: http://www.suddenlink.com/netsafety/mcafee.html.

• Install software to limit or eliminate the volume of spam you receive.
• Check with other members of your household regarding their Internet activities. For instance, someone in your home might leave a streaming music player running while they’re away doing other things. During that time, your account is using bandwidth without anyone benefiting from it.
• If you’ve shared your Suddenlink Internet user ID and password with someone you suspect is causing you to exceed the typical usage range, consider changing your password.
• Some popular, peer-to-peer file-sharing programs (e.g., Bit Torrent, Shareaza, etc.) will upload shared files, by default, to others as fast as your connection allows. This activity is often invisible to you, but it can result in significant usage. Check your file-sharing program preferences to make sure the upstream Internet is limited accordingly.
• Make sure, if you use a news reader (e.g., Usenet), that it is not set to automatically download message bodies for groups to which you subscribe. Otherwise, you may download a significant volume of material that is of no interest to you.

If you wish to monitor your usage, we have set up a convenient way for you to do so. If you haven’t already done so, register your account at www.suddenlink.net; when finished, click the link for “My Internet Usage Summary.” (If you’re already registered at suddenlink.net, log on, go to "My Account," and then click the link for "My Internet Usage Summary.") Once there, you’ll be able to see how many GB you’ve used at any point in a given monthly cycle – and compare that usage to the typical usage for your package.

More information is available at: http://www.suddenlink.com/usage/faq/.

Thank you for taking time to review this letter and for being our customer.

Suddenlink Management