Using Internet Speed Test to Test If You Were Hacked

Cybrvault
May 12
5 min read

What Does Internet Speed Have to Do with Hacking?

Your internet speed is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of what’s happening on your network. While most people use speed tests to diagnose slow connections or verify their ISP’s claims, cybersecurity experts know that fluctuations in speed—especially upload speeds—can indicate malicious behavior.

This article will show you how to use internet speed tests as part of your cybersecurity defense strategy, helping you identify whether a potential hacking incident is affecting your home or business network. While a speed test alone won’t identify hackers, it can reveal clues—which, when combined with other symptoms, can help you determine if your digital privacy has been breached.

What Is an Internet Speed Test and How Does It Work?

An internet speed test measures how quickly data moves between your device and the internet. It typically measures three things:

Download Speed: How fast data is pulled from the internet to your device.
Upload Speed: How fast data is sent from your device to the internet.
Ping (Latency): The time it takes for a data packet to travel to a remote server and back.

These values are measured in:

Mbps (Megabits per second) for upload/download
Milliseconds (ms) for latency

If a hacker is actively using your bandwidth—for example, by uploading your data to a remote server or running processes in the background—you may notice unusual changes in these metrics, particularly upload speed and latency.

Why Would Hackers Affect Your Internet Speed?

When hackers infiltrate your system, their malicious software often runs hidden processes that use your bandwidth. This is especially true in the following scenarios:

Common Hacker Activities That Use Bandwidth:

Spyware or Keyloggers sending your data back to an attacker
Cryptojacking that drains your CPU/GPU power and affects performance
Data exfiltration, where sensitive files are uploaded without your consent
Botnet hijacking, where your device is used in mass attacks like DDoS
Unauthorized remote access tools (RATs), which send video/audio or log everything you do

Each of these can cause slower internet speeds, especially during times when your device should be idle.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use an Internet Speed Test to Detect Hacking

Step 1: Choose a Reliable Speed Test Platform

Use reputable tools such as:

Run the test on multiple devices if possible—laptop, phone, tablet.

Step 2: Establish Your Baseline Speed

Find out what your ISP promises (e.g., 300 Mbps down / 20 Mbps up) and document your actual average speed when no one else is online. Run tests:

At different times of day
Across various days
On both Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Create a baseline log that gives you an accurate picture of your normal internet performance.

Step 3: Monitor Upload Speed Closely

Your upload speed should typically be lower than your download speed. If it suddenly spikes—even when you aren’t uploading files, video conferencing, or live streaming—something suspicious may be happening.

⚠️ If your device is idle and upload speed is high, it may be secretly sending data.

Step 4: Check for Consistency and Repetition

One-off slow speeds can happen. But if you see consistent patterns like:

Speed drops during sleep hours
Upload spikes during idle periods
Lag across all devices…it’s time to dig deeper.

Examples of Suspicious Internet Speed Behavior

Anomaly	Possible Threat
High upload speed when no files are being transferred	Spyware or data exfiltration
Slow speeds on one device only	That device may be infected
Ping spikes during inactivity	Background communication with hacker servers
Huge latency changes	Possible malware activity
Speed tests fine but device feels sluggish	Cryptojacking or rootkit

Dig Deeper: How to Investigate a Potential Hack

1. Check Background Applications

Use:

Task Manager (Windows) or
Activity Monitor (Mac)

Sort by network usage. Look for unfamiliar or high-bandwidth applications, especially those you didn’t install.

2. Use Netstat to Check Connections

Open Terminal or Command Prompt and enter: netstat -anob

This shows:

Current connections
Foreign IPs
Applications using them

If you see unfamiliar IPs or ports connecting to strange locations, your device might be compromised.

3. Run Network Monitoring Tools

Install tools like:

GlassWire (visual traffic monitor)
Wireshark (packet sniffer)
Fing (lists connected devices)

You’ll get visibility into what’s using your bandwidth and where the data is going.

4. Scan for Malware and Threats

Run a scan using:

Malwarebytes
Bitdefender
Windows Defender
ESET
Norton Power Eraser

Run both a quick scan and a deep scan to catch hidden threats.

What to Do If You Suspect You've Been Hacked

If you suspect foul play based on your internet speed test and system behavior, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect From the Network

Immediately unplug your Ethernet or turn off Wi-Fi. This stops the hacker from sending/receiving more data.

2. Isolate the Infected Device

Use another clean device to investigate the suspicious one. Do not enter passwords or sensitive information.

3. Run Antivirus and Antimalware Software

Perform full system scans. If you can’t remove a threat, boot into Safe Mode and run the scan again.

4. Update All Software and Firmware

Update:

Your OS
Antivirus software
Web browsers
Router firmware

Outdated systems are the most vulnerable to attack.

5. Change All Passwords

From a safe, clean device, change:

Email
Banking
Social media
Cloud storage

Enable two-factor authentication everywhere.

6. Restore from Backup

If malware altered system files, restore from a clean backup made before the infection occurred.

7. Seek Professional Help

If you handle sensitive data (finance, healthcare, etc.), contact a cybersecurity expert to perform a forensic investigation.

Prevention: How to Stop Hackers from Slowing or Spying on You

Use These Proactive Tips:

Install a reputable firewall and antivirus
Use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic
Set strong router passwords and disable WPS
Separate your IoT (smart devices) on a guest network
Use a hardware firewall or DNS-level protection (like Pi-hole or NextDNS)
Update all software and devices regularly

🔒 Remember: Prevention is easier and cheaper than recovery.

Real-Life Example

A Florida-based small business noticed slower Zoom calls and high upload activity even when staff weren't working. After running multiple speed tests and comparing with historical data, they noticed constant 5 Mbps uploads.

Further investigation revealed an infected employee laptop was exfiltrating files to a server in Eastern Europe—the result of a phishing link clicked weeks earlier. The business saved its data and reputation by acting early, thanks in part to the humble internet speed test.

Internet Speed Tests Are a Cybersecurity Ally

Using an internet speed test won’t prove you’ve been hacked, but it can give you vital signs that something is wrong. Unusual spikes in upload speed, inconsistent latency, and performance drops can be early red flags.

When paired with proper monitoring tools and awareness, internet speed tests become an essential layer of your digital defense system.

Take Action Now:

Run a speed test at Speedtest.net
Log your results for a week
Scan your devices regularly
Monitor your network usage
Educate your household or team on safe internet practices

Get Protected Today!

Whether you're a business owner or a home owner, your security is our top priority! Contact us today and get secured from digital threats!

☎️ 305-988-9012 📧 info@cybrvault.com 🖥 www.cybrvault.com