I need to ask a question (Page 3): Something no one has mentioned - security. Several years ago I used to leave my computer on all the time. I discovered that my internet connection...

daverc11

Something no one has mentioned - security. Several years ago I used to leave my computer on all the time. I discovered that my internet connection was allowing someone to remotely access my computer when I wasn't using it. So, if you leave it on, make sure you disable the wifi until you want to use it again.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

live in florida and always turn it off. thunder storms happen at 3 AM as well as at 3 PM!

Also, my first sgt said turn it off when you shut down the station. My first sgt was never wrong!

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I leave mine on 24/7 unless I have a necessary must reboot. My monitor shuts off after 20 minutes of idle time.
Mark

fourg1b2006 wrote:

Should you shut down your computer every night when your finished, or leave it on all the time. I've heard so many different answers..i'd love your opinion from you guys.

RonBoyd

paulrph1 wrote:

Good question. I have a similar question and I do leave mine on all of the time, but am wondering about being infected with viruses when left on all of the time. And yes I know it is possible to get viruses at other times also but am wondering if it is more likely if left on all of the time?

The Internet is global... so it is always 5:00 somewhere.

The only protection against outside influence is with resident (and active) programs, Windows Defender, https://www.safer-networking.org/, https://www.malwarebytes.com/, and suchlike programs. Trying to guess exactly when some nefarious person will attack is like timing the market -- a fool's quest.

MikieLBS Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I leave my laptop on 24/7 and only reboot when it feels sluggish.

RonBoyd

daverc11 wrote:

Something no one has mentioned - security. Several years ago I used to leave my computer on all the time. I discovered that my internet connection was allowing someone to remotely access my computer when I wasn't using it. So, if you leave it on, make sure you disable the wifi until you want to use it again.

I may be way off base but I have never heard of a way to access a remote computer through Wi-Fi. Through an insecure Router by gaining access to the network would, of course, allow that.

cdayton

Both my desktop and laptop are on or asleep but I reboot once a week, more or less. My iPad is off when not in use but that is really equivalent to asleep. I rely on virus and malware protection plus daily backup.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I also run MalwareBytes and AVG Internet Security.
Mark

RonBoyd wrote:

The Internet is global... so it is always 5:00 somewhere.

The only protection against outside influence is with resident (and active) programs, Windows Defender, https://www.safer-networking.org/, https://www.malwarebytes.com/, and suchlike programs. Trying to guess exactly when some nefarious person will attack is like timing the market -- a fool's quest.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

RonBoyd wrote:

I may be way off base but I have never heard of a way to access a remote computer through Wi-Fi. Through an insecure Router by gaining access to the network would, of course, allow that.

FWIW:

WIFI is just wireless ethernet, so if the wifi in the computer either connects to a wifi router somewhere, OR is set in ad hoc mode that allows another device able to connect to it via wireless ethernet then it is susceptible to hacking of the OS.

I would HOPE the person is making use of WIFI as there ONLY connection, so in that respect turning off wifi would in effect cut the cord to the router - IF there is a wired connection then of course the gate is still wide open.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

As hackers are continously trolling I always shutdown between using. We have fiber optic so house network is always connected. I am very fussy about automatic updates, even from Apple.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

jaymatt wrote:

I always shut mine down. Restarting in the morning is no big deal.
The router is never shut off.

Same here. I need the router on 24/7 because of the phone.

Leo Perez

The computer goes to hibernation after 15 to 20 minutes of no action. In setting you can set it how ever long you want it go. The issue here is when the hard drive is spinning around for data it shuts down the screen and other components which keeps the computer active. If you don't want to wait for the computer to hibernate go into on and off switch and put it to bed there, not shut down mode but sleep mode. After it has gone to hibernation and you want to come back mode just move your mouse or hit a key. Most people hit the enter key.

Glide1340 Loc: Hollywood, Fl

Having worked in the computer field for over 28 years it's been my experience that you should leave your computer on but re-boot every day. That way your able to clear memory of any lingering programs that might still be in hanging around and you clear your page file of any orphan data. Re-booting helps keep your computer running at it's best and one of the main reason components fail is by being turned on and off repeatedly. Just my 2 cents.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

fourg1b2006 wrote:

Thank you all so much...i appreciate your responses.

Yeah, but did it help? The responses were all over the place - keep it on, shut it off, put it in sleep mode, have it hibernate, reboot once a day, reboot once a week, reboot when it feels sluggish, etc, etc. This is usually the way questions like this go - ask a dozen different people, get a dozen different answers.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm running 5 systems at home. I don't shut any of them down unless it's absolutely necessary.
--Bob

fourg1b2006 wrote:

Should you shut down your computer every night when your finished, or leave it on all the time. I've heard so many different answers..i'd love your opinion from you guys.