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wanted man
We have DSL (SBC) and I tend to leave it "on" (the SBC-Yahoo mail homepage) open/idling, whatever you wanna call it.

My wife contends that from a security standpoint this is unwise/potentially dangerous.

I contend that it's the same as if I were on the 'puter, using it.

Would someone who actually KNOWS please settle this disagreement for us??? An explanation of the answer would be very nice, if you are so inclined!

For that matter does it matter if I leave the 'puter on, say idling with it right here on GB, or some other web-site??
Is it a case of: "on is on, off is off" or not?!?!?!
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Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • wanted man
    Quote:"You leave the homepage up? I dont think thats good. Do you have a screen saver on that is black? (I find black to be most effective).":Quote
    _________________________________________________________________

    No offense, but if you don't KNOW, please STAY OUT OF IT!!!
    The waters are already muddied on this topic(for us anyway)

    BTW, our "screen saver" is a photo show from the Pics files!
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  • DarkStar11
    If you have DSL, your computer is always connected to the Internet, regardless of having Internet Explorer open or not. Opening IE does not "activate" your Internet connection.

    Use a software firewall and antivirus, in conjunction with a DSL router/firewall. While you can still have a security issue, these things lower the probability of it.
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  • slipgate
    I leave my computer on 24x7x365. I am a senior network architect and have no worries. Sometimes IE is running, sometimes not. It is not dangerous unless you are at an untrusted site and you do not have all of MS's security patches. Exploits from web sites are only effective until the door is closed via a security patch. Simply having your browser open on a trusted site is not going to open you to attack.

    The bigger danger is if you are not using a cable/dsl router. If not, get one ASAP!
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  • Jacob2008
    k then.
    ...
    (the SBC-Yahoo mail homepage)

    kinda makes you think its the mail.yahoo.com homepage.. So how about, you explain.

    So i take it your talking about the general internet. black box. i leave mine on all the time, leave my computer on all the time, nothings ever happened.
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  • nord
    A moot point really...

    If your PC is unprotected against an attack, time doesn't matter much. Be it ten seconds or ten days, the deed will be done.

    Keep your updates current, make sure your anti-virus is current, put a router in line between your PC and the modem, and don't follow any URL's that you're the least bit unsure of.

    Don't import screensavers. Don't open unsolicited mail. Don't visit sites that you're unsure of. Don't allow media from other systems near your PC.

    Run Trend Housecall. Run Ad-Aware. Run SpyBot Search & Destroy. Make sure that your registry is uncorrupted. Download WinPatrol to your system. It's free and will intercept a potential change to your system before it can load without your approval.
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  • zipperzap
    I've had 1 to 4 computers on 24/7/365 since about 1984 - on the net since 1986 -
    not one problem, ever, but then again, they've all been Macs.[:D]
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  • iwannausername
    If you have a router - you aren't connected directly to your DSL modem via USB or ethernet - then you are fine, assuming it is properly configured.
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  • nord
    Zipper -

    Your confidence is amazing, but you're not immune.

    Macs have not been the historic targets because they're far fewer than the MS PC's, but they harbor and pass malware quite nicely... They always have.

    Now you're faced with exactly the same problems as we PC users. Still not quite to the extent we are, but malware is there all the same.

    Macs are generally used less for business purposes than PC's. Thus less personal information, fewer credit card numbers, and less of everything else worth stealing. This is changing and the attacks are now cross-platform in nature.

    If you don't believe me, then you soon will. It's only a matter of time before you're exploited. But what do I know? I only recently cleaned a nest of malware out of a client's system. Their Macs and PC's shared a network domain, but different managers for the different systems. The Mac boys actually believed they were immune until we proved that they were the one's carrying the bad stuff.
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  • mrseatle
    and screen saver's waste time and drive space, unless it is parrot or gun related of course[:D]
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  • cmd66
    Shut your system down when it's not being used.
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  • wanted man
    Well as I've said before, I'm not a 'puter guru, but thanx to all who replied it IS a little clearer to me now.........
    And the disagreement twix me and the Mrs IS settled.....
    Jacob, sorry I snapped at you........
    AGAIN, thanx to ALL who replied![:)]
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  • Slow_Hand
    Unfortunately, you'll have to get most of the software that folks have already mentioned here to augment your operating system's security and to protect your PC as much as is possible from the malicious junk out there. And keeping this additional software up-to-date AND running them regularly are essential.

    I leave my PC on the desktop screen, i.e. browser closed, but I have a secure router and firewall with all the alerts. Still, nothing is foolproof, especially nowadays.

    Gee, computers used to be fun at one time. Now, they're work[:D][;)]
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  • Jacob2008
    quote:Originally posted by wanted man

    Jacob, sorry I snapped at you........


    Its no problem, just tryin to help and was confused on which one you wanted to know about, the homepage or the box itself
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  • Colt Super
    I shut my dsl box off when I leave the infernal machine.

    I take it that there is no reason to do this ??

    Doug
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