I was told to shut down every night because of hackers,viruses,etc.which is what I've been doing.Just wondering...thanks
2006-08-29 12:59:21 · 16 answers · asked by Sewnmemaw60 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
It's safe to leave your computer on all night as long as you have proper virus protection. However, it would consume electricity. I've read that leaving your computer on keeps your CMOS battery charged well so it won't die that easily but I'm not sure if that's true. In my opinion, you should turn your computer off if you aren't doing anything on it.
2006-08-29 14:05:38 · answer #1 · answered by Joseph W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there's no reason to power it off every night, except to save a bit on the energy bills.
Older PCs built in the early-to-mid 90s didn't have the most stress-resistant on/off switches. There used to be a concern out there that you could wear the switch on the motherboard down to the point of failure by flipping the PC on and off too much. However, that hasn't been the case as PCs matured and the first Intel Pentium came out.
In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who has had this problem with the quality of manufacturing that these newer motherboards go through. And even if it did happen, motherboards are pretty much dirt cheap to replace (in the past, you could be looking at $500 or more to replace one, the reason for concern, but today it usually costs less than $100).
As for hackers and viruses....
Nah, it doesn't do you any good to be paranoid about that. You can setup decent security (like using a router and personal firewall) for cheap to protect your "always on" connection. Contrary to what a lot of inexperienced people believe, there aren't hackers floating around out there trying to get into every open PC. There might be a small few doing it, but there are literally millions of PC's on the net at any one time. I wouldn't worry about yours being exposed, even if it doesn't have any protection at the moment. And Windows XP's firewall is sufficient enough to block just about anything that tries to get in unauthorized.
YOU have to initiate most infections through downloading or clicking on malicious links...
2006-08-29 13:22:57 · answer #2 · answered by SirCharles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I run 5 or more systems 24/7 and have had no issues. My main computer (G5 Mac) shutsdown every night and starts itself every morning. If you aren't concerned about power consumption then leave it on. As far as things giving out on the inside, my father has run an old compaq 486 for the last 5+ years 24/7 and it has had nothing give out, the fans sound like they will soon but for its purpose it must be up 24/7 and its hard drive runs almost constantly.
2006-08-29 13:37:33 · answer #3 · answered by Adam Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be paranoid about your system security no one is safe the moment your computer goes online your computer is vulnerable it's a target just like mines and everyone else's.
BTW your computers ethernet card has a wake on-LAN feature that enables a hacker to turn on your computer when it's turned off allows him access, even when you are not there:( I hope you have a hardware firewall or something to keep him out.
2006-08-29 15:36:11 · answer #4 · answered by markm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hackers and viruses will try to hit you during the day too. Don't turn it off at night and think you're safe. There's no excuse for not having Anti-virus software and a firewall.
The only real reason to turn it off at night is to save electricity.
2006-08-29 13:09:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is fine to leave your computer on all night. As far as hackers and viruses, as long as you have a active Anti-virus program running(McAfee recommend) and a firewall you should be fine. A second alternative is you can sleep your computer if you still worried about it.
2006-08-29 13:08:28 · answer #6 · answered by gabe1984 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard both sides of the answer. Some say its better to keep it on because its hard on the computer to turn it off and on. Others say the opposite, that leaving it on all the time shortens the life of the cpu. So whatever turns you on, I guess
2006-08-29 13:05:32 · answer #7 · answered by axis mentis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to shut down every night but I would recommend shutting down a few times a week.
2006-08-29 13:04:47 · answer #8 · answered by kmarz10 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you shut it down every night the turn on button wears out faster.
2006-08-29 13:04:03 · answer #9 · answered by Carol W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shut if off. All you are doing is using electricity that is being wasted . It will lower your electric bill.
2006-08-29 13:32:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋