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Broadband: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer?
Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer?
by winner2000 - 1/21/06 9:49 AMThis is probably a stupid question, but I was just really curious to hear the answer.
I've had dial-up for the past 10 years or so, and just last week I (finally!) got high speed internet (via cable). I've "heard" that if you leave your modem on while you're not using your computer (if the computer is ON or OFF), hackers can hack into your computer during that idle time.
Is that true at all, or is it just silly? Thanks.
It's true...
by John.Wilkinson
- 1/21/06 10:23 AM
In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000
Turning your modem off at night won't cause any problems, though it can be a hassle, especially when you forget to turn it back on and wonder why the internet's not working. (I've done that a few times.)
Now, as long as you are connected to the internet and your computer is on, there is a risk of you being hacked. Thus, some would advise you to turn it off at night, along with your computer. However, this is not necessary, just an extra precaution, as a good firewall, especially one that's hardware-based, should protect you.
Another factor is if you turn your computer off at night. If you do, and it's clean of malware, you can leave the modem on without worry. However, there are some types of malware that can set your computer to automatically turn on at, say, 3:17AM local time, communicate with the sender, and turn off before you wake up. Nice of them not to wake you, isn't it? ![]:)](http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/devil.gif)
Therefore, if you're completely clean of malware and have a good security suite, you should be fine, but you can take the extra security precaution if you want.
Hope this helps,
John
P.S. This can also happen on dial-up, athough it would require you to either have stored the password or the program to have the ability to record your keystrokes and do it for you, which is a little trickier.
Well....
by winner2000 - 1/22/06 9:40 AM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
...definitely sounds kind of scary now that I think about it, but I usually try my best to practice "safe-surfing" (i.e. regularly update virus protection, anti-spam, spyware software, keep on/maintain my firewall etc.)...hopefully that helps somewhat.
Thanks for your informative post though!
Not an option for me...
by mwhitted - 1/26/06 1:56 PM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
...to turn the modem off anyway. I have Vonage.
alpha shield
by bandaid69 - 1/26/06 3:07 PM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
I have a little device called an Alpha shield that plugs in between the modem and the computer, pushing a little button effectively blocks all entry to and from the computer.
alpha shield
by grayfrier - 1/26/06 10:49 PM In reply to: alpha shield by bandaid69Can you tell more about alpha shield sounds like a product worth knowing of and could be very handy say if you need to shut down access in a hurry ?
could you please send some info to me at the least Grayfrier@yahoo.com
it's easier and cheaper
by wgself - 1/27/06 6:05 AM In reply to: alpha shield by grayfrierUnplug the phone line.
Just as easy as pushing a button and a lot cheaper.
If you are using a dial-up modem and you have it configured to auto-answer you could be at risk. If you are only using the modem for internet access there is no reason to have auto answer enabled. I used a modem for twenty years with no problem.
Norton Internet Security
by kidzdad - 3/11/06 1:40 PM In reply to: alpha shield by grayfrierI have Norton Internet Security installed on my computer. It has an option to block all traffic if needed. Just another option.
I Suggest A Power Control Center
by wjk - 1/27/06 8:28 AM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
I always leave my cable modem and router on. No hacker can get into my system or leave malware to turn on my computer at night while I'm fast asleep. There is no power going into my system. I have always used a power control center. This is a surge protector/power switch that sits under my monitor. Flip the master switch and everything powers up. After shuting down a flip of the switch disconnects everything on my system, printer, monitors, scanner, etc. This device has more then once protected my computer from surges.
just dont worry
by jc1234 - 1/29/06 3:09 PM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
i just turn my computer off, after all only takes less than a minute to turn on but the modem is always on but i have bullguard and one of the option is to block traffic when bullguard is close , which is when it is off but just unplug both if you are worried as it isnt doing anything and saving power, and hepls the computer keep fresh
turn off
by jc1234 - 1/29/06 3:10 PM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
i just turn my computer off, after all only takes less than a minute to turn on but the modem is always on but i have bullguard and one of the option is to block traffic when bullguard is close , which is when it is off but just unplug both if you are worried as it isnt doing anything and saving power, and hepls the computer keep fresh
I forget to turn it back on ALL the time!
by amg503 - 3/4/06 1:02 AM In reply to: It's true... by John.Wilkinson
I put my modem into "Standby" about 50% of the nights (I have a Motorola SURFBoard, so there's no "Off"), and I ALWAYS forget to turn it back on in the warning. Then, it takes about thirty seconds to get the juices flowing. That's a LONG time with cable internet!
By the way, I've NEVER been hacked when I left the modem on all night...
no
by dgghostkilla - 1/22/06 9:51 AM In reply to: Should I turn my modem off when I'm not using my computer? by winner2000dont worry about it. do you have a basic firewall? that would help. other than that dont worry about it
Oh yea of great faith.
by maddogthegreat - 1/26/06 3:06 PM In reply to: no by dgghostkillaDon't bet on anything. At least turn off the PC. I have my modem and monitor on a power strip so I can turn them off with one switch.
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