When the Computer Is Left For A While

[forwardone]

A question to you computer gurus out there.

If I leave my computer unattended for a few days, is it safer (from an internet security/virus point of view) to disconnect the phone cable to the computer?

I always switch the mains electricity off anyway, but I was wondering if by disconnecting the whole thing, I`m on dial up, it would be more secure.

Thanks

Geoff

[candy]

I am not sure about internet security but I know from experience that lighting can enter through the phone line and take out your modem so it is best to disconnect the computer from both electric and phone souces as a safety measure when you are not home. There are all in one surge suppressors for both electric and phone lines for life's little surprises.

[memorex]

A question to you computer gurus out there.

If I leave my computer unattended for a few days, is it safer (from an internet security/virus point of view) to disconnect the phone cable to the computer?

I always switch the mains electricity off anyway, but I was wondering if by disconnecting the whole thing, I`m on dial up, it would be more secure.

Thanks

Geoff

Geoff
It is impossible for a virus to intrude on to your computer when there is no power available to the machine.

There is only one intruding virus composition, that can do something like this , but the machine still has to be powered and on the internet .

This is a system called silver threading, not heard of a lot , but basically it arrives on a port which is open on the machine and sits patiently, till an email or text message comes along and enters with it.
The offending virus is threaded through the text .

So this cant happen especially when you say you always switch the power off it is just not possible .

Now regarding the safety of your machine, this is also, not a problem, because if you have no power.

You can't have a power surge, which can damage your machine. It should stop where the power is switched off.

If it doesnt,then you have real problem with your wiring system
RCCB.(Residual Circuit Control Breaker)which would mean you have a leak in your system.

This RCCB should stop or reduce the power surge to a manageable level if not it should at the very least switch off your power which is what it is designed to do.

This is your main source power controller for the whole electrical system on your house or business premises normally installed in your fuse box.

As for extra normal safety if you have a power surge protector at your socket where your machine is powered then add a bank of sockets to this to connect all your computer accessories.

This also includes the phone line which will be passed through the power surge socket it goes into one side and you connect at the other side to your Modem

This will help stop lightning attacks derived from stormy or inclement weather.

As for security, it is always a problem and you have to always be updating your Antivirus software and firewall files I use Norton and it regularly and automatically updates my virus and firewall protection every day.

Hope this helps you with your question

regards
gwins

[forwardone]

Thanks for all the answers.

It`s not so much the power surges I`m worried about. I have the protection against surges etc, and as I say I do usually disconnect if not using the computer for several hours anyway.

I also ensure that all my Norton Security is regularly updated and switched on, along with all my other security programs.

It`s more the question of the phone cable. So putting it another way, I`m assuming that it wouldn`t cause any problems if I did disconnect both mains and phone if I`m leaving the computer unattended for a period of time?

Geoff

[memorex]

As I have said if your phone line for the modem goes through the power surge protector then you will be okay if it doesnt then I suggest that you unplug if you are away for any length of time it this practice wont hurt .

regards

gwins

[forwardone]

Fully answered, thanks to you both. \:D/

Geoff