I just got a new computer and had to put my modom in myself. (A first for me.)The computer wants me to plug the phone line in; but I don't have a vires protecter on the computer yet. Is it safe to test it or should I wait?
2007-06-22 08:36:40 · 8 answers · asked by geessewereabove 7 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
A firewall is far more important then an anti-virus in this case. An un-firewalled computer can be compromised within minutes of connecting to the internet without even visiting any websites.
If it is a computer with Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista, then you should have no problems as long as Windows firewall is enabled by default. Just don't visit any web-sites on the "dark side of the web" and you should be fine for a short period of testing.
2007-06-22 08:51:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's perfectly safe, just make sure when you work inside the case that you don't touch anything unless it's absolutely necessary. Best case scenario ground yourself before installing anything. If the modem is seated properly go ahead and boot the system up, let windows detect the modem and search for drivers. Have the driver disk handy you'll need it.
2007-06-22 15:41:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends. if this is a highspeed DSL modem then you may not want to . test have proven a system can get infected within the first 2 mins of connecting...
if you on dialup then you;re a little safer only that it's not fast and nowt always connected..
2007-06-22 15:40:25 · answer #3 · answered by newton3010 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you actually dial into an ISP you are safe. Just because there is a phone line attached does not mean that a virus can get you.
2007-06-22 15:39:37 · answer #4 · answered by Jeremie I 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can test it - most viruses require you to click on something in order to get them.
Just make sure it connects and maybe do a search on Yahoo or something (don't use Google - because people have gotten viruses from it before).
Don't put mccaffee or norton on your machine - there are plenty of free virus scan programs available online.
2007-06-22 15:41:11 · answer #5 · answered by Joe M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dial up is rather slow and you are not on long. I would be careful to only go to a known site for test only and then get virus protection as soon as you can.
2007-06-22 15:40:43 · answer #6 · answered by GTB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just plugging into phone line does not mean that you are on the internet. you need to be dialing in to the ISP for that.
so go ahead and test it.
2007-06-22 15:41:18 · answer #7 · answered by roses*are*red 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, make sure if it is a laptop that everything is connected. turn it on go into device mamager and see if the modem has been recognized.
2007-06-22 15:42:57 · answer #8 · answered by Jeremy G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋