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Broadband: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer?
Leave modem on, turn off computer
by dlauber - 1/26/06 2:01 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000No, a thousand times "no." There is absolutely no need for your to turn off (i.e. unplug) your DSL modem during the night. If you turn off your computer, nothing is going to get to you through the Internet. And unless you have gone into the BIOS and turned on the ability for peripherals to turn on your computer, no malware could conceivably turn on your computer, install itself, and turn off the computer while you sleep -- a great urban legend if there ever was one.
You would, however, be extremely prudent to connect your DSL modem to your computer through a router with a built-in firewall. I'd strongly recommend a Netgear router -- avoid Linksys like the plague (its tech support is about as incompetent as it gets). If you don't have any other computers on a network, just get an inexpensive Netgear router (often on sale for $29.95). It firewall will protect you.
Also, using Trend Micro's PC-Cillin Internet Security will give you an excellent two-way software firewall and virus protection, far superior to McAfee or Norton AntiVirus. IT also enables you to halt Internet traffic with one click of your mouse -- an easy safeguard when installing new software which requires you to disable your antivirus and other applications. And updates are easy compared to all the bugginess in Norton Antivirus.
Modem vs. computer off/on
by Shutterbug - 1/26/06 2:09 PM In reply to: Leave modem on, turn off computer by dlauberIt's a LOT easier to flip the switch off on the modem than to shut down the computer (time time time getting back in). I have the TCP/IP ports "unbound" in MyNetwork so I am protected from backdoor viruses getting to me. I've had only two in e-mail since June of last year due to this handy little bit of knowledge I found. My old modem had no switch. Someone got smart (Westall) and put an on/off switch on the DSL modem. PTL!!!
I was told hitting the on button to a computer all the time (day after day) can wear out the switch. I just have the monitor turn off with mouse movement turning it on. But to have to wait an eternity for Windows and all my other programs to load would surely try my patience to the nth. I would only turn it off if I were going to be gone for a while.
Turning computer off
by shanedr - 1/26/06 2:33 PM In reply to: Modem vs. computer off/on by ShutterbugI suggest you rethink turning your computer off at least once every 24 hours. For some reason windows works better if it boots daily. I use standby during the day (sleep button on keyboard) and a full shut down at night. Although I used to use standby all the time and a reboot every week or two.
PC is off when not in use.
by Brianstech - 1/27/06 9:13 AM In reply to: Modem vs. computer off/on by ShutterbugI just can't understand leaving a computer on all the time. Hard drives, power supplies, fans, you name it, they all have a limited life expectancy. Many times too short for my liking.
When you spend hundreds on a video card, just the fan alone only is good for so many hours. I have a stack of bad hard drives I pulled out of client's computers. Everything wears out faster from constant usage. It's too expensive for me to leave my PC's running 24 hours a day.
As far as time spent shutting down and starting up, you have other problems. Mine take about 45 seconds each. Tons of security, printing, scanning, editing (photo, video, and audio), TV tuner, you name it. I will NOT allow them to load with Windows. The only thing I allow is my Claw controller, and it doesn't use any resources.
leave modem ON, turn OFF computer
by jasch - 1/27/06 9:54 AM In reply to: Leave modem on, turn off computer by dlauberHas anybody heard of Zone Alarm, great protector and it has a feature to block internet activity,just click on the open padlock and no signal will enter into your computer.
Computer off, no problem but...
by joneso - 1/26/06 3:24 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000There are a number of reasons why not to turn off the ISP-modem but, if the computer is off, hackers can not get at it through an on-modem. And, if you have good antivirus/antispyware software they should prevent anything from getting in when the computer boots.
But...computers can be configured to turn on when tickled by the network so make sure this option is not enabled in the main or network BIOS. Otherwise, the machine could be turned on, cracked, then turned off.
Good idea is to put a router such as provided by Netgear between the modem and the computer for a couple of reasons. First, there are built-in firewalls in the router that can help. Secondly, you can configure the router to do the automatic connection with the ISP provider BUT specify fixed IP address(es) for your computer(s). Then choose the string 10.x.x.x or (if I recall correctly) 192.x.x.x as your internal domain string, the last "x" being 1, 2, 3, ... for each device on your internal lan. The outside world can not resolve these (private) domains so it is, I believe, impossible for anyone in the outside world to see anything on your LAN string. In this case, you can leave all hardware on 24/7/365 if you choose. I have used 10.x.x.x for years with 24/7 computer operation and never had a problem and never had anything but a "no possible connection" when security is tested by an outside source.
But...I agree, booting Windows regularly helps keep the squirrels at bay. So...
1. Keep auto-turn-on option off;
2. Install a router;
3. Set up a private internal LAN;
4. Boot Windows regularly...once a day is good.
Cheers...:-)
Unplug it
by Just Billy - 1/26/06 3:46 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000I do not trust the best firewall, nor do I think my computer is always free of a program to "dial out".
I just unplug my "jack" connection to the computer. It just takes a second, and a new connector cord (if needed)is cheaper than a switch.
Computer off
by Jakable - 1/26/06 3:54 PM In reply to: Unplug it by Just BillyI have had Six home PCs and four at work and never once have any of them been comrpomised from outside. A good firewall does the trick. A router gives added protection.
There is no problem with rebooting. Waiting for programs to load in good patience training. I have yet to wear out a switch on any computer and had one at work, which I turned off at the end of every shift for 8 years.
Switches do fail.
by kndlewis - 1/27/06 6:31 AM In reply to: Computer off by JakableI was turning off the modem when not in use when I first got Broadband until the switch on the modem failed! I managed to get it to turn on by opening it up so needless to say, I do NOT turn the modem off any more.
We do, however, shut down the computer when not in use.
Me too
by winged foot - 1/27/06 2:47 AM In reply to: Unplug it by Just BillyIf I turn my modem off, I think I'll loose my phone and cable - all linked through RR, so I just unplug. Works fine as far as I know.
Leave modem on . . .
by rheppert - 1/26/06 4:45 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000There is no need to turn the modem off. I keep the modem and router(either hardwired or wireless/combo) in a central house location on a seperate surge protector. They stay on all the time and only recycled if the ISP connection is dropped.
Computers are usually turned off when not being used. I'm NOT worried about wearing out the switch's!
However I'm really surprised NO ONE else has mentioned Hibernating your system when not in use. Most modern desktops as well as laptops have the ability to hibernate (I set the default for my power switch for both). With hibernation you can power down the system, yet retain a copy of memory including all open programs, webpages, the operating system etc, that LOAD MUCH FASTER than a reboot.
As others have mentioned, it IS a good idea to periodically do a normal shutdown and reboot of the OS to get rid of accumulated garbage that only a reboot will do. I reboot at least once a week.
Put modem on standby if you have this option
by haroldino - 1/26/06 5:01 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000Putting modem on standby is a good option. Turning computer or modem off is safe
Not necessary to turn off
by jazzy5 - 1/26/06 5:27 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000Here is the deal. All past suggestion given before are good. Just pick the one you feel more comfortable with. But from my experience, this is what I do. I leave my computer on all day and turn if off at night. This is because for the next 8 to 10 hours nobody will use the computer. I might save a few cents on electricity but also I might save my computer especially the hard drive from damage. You never know what my happen at the middle of the night.
During the day all my computer are running and protected from my modern/router with firewall. I also have Zone Alarm as additional firewall. If I have to go out for more than an hour, I tell Zone Alarm to stop all internet activity and to engage Internet lock. Nothing will come or go. If you practice safe computing (Update anti-virus, firewall, anti-spam and not opening attachment, carefull what you download or install) you will have no problem from your computer calling a hacker so he can take over your computer.
Your can test your computer to see if it is invisible to any hacker by going to Steve Gibson site (http://grc.com/zonealarm.htm) and test you connection. This way you can close any port that might be open and block the ability of any hacker take over your computer.
BTW, one of my computer, which I build in 1995, I turn it on and off and the switch has not broken yet. It runs on a 500 Mhz K-6 AMD chip. But I do save some dollars by turning off all 4 computers at night.
This is NOT a stupid question.
by fixers29 - 1/26/06 5:42 PM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000Have been wondering what happens when I have to redo my computer. Sometimes I run for a long time without a firewall while setting up programs. (I have DSL) I know that I can turn off my modem, I always seem to forget that, also lots of programs want to have internet access while installing.
Once your firewall is set up I think you are OK. The second program I set up is Norton and let the Pete do its thing. After that I am reasonably sure no virus is left. Now, whether I leave my modem on or shut it off never seems to make any difference.
If anyone can give a more technical explanation, please do.
TX
Case
Antivirus
by mikeoboy - 1/26/06 6:24 PM In reply to: This is NOT a stupid question. by fixers29Many, many people say that they have no virus problems simply because their antivirus programme reports nothing - oh how many times have I replaced thought-to-be-good programmes on buddies' computers with N°2 on the list below to suddenly find tons of trojans etc. undetected by the old programme. A recent European study gives from best to worst:
G-Data
Kaspersky
Bit Defender
Trend Micro
McAfee
Avast 4.6 (free)
Doctor Web
Norton
Panda
NOD32
Zone Alarm Antivirus
AVG
Norman Virus Control
Mindscape
They considered the last one to find nothing of interest.
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