Blowing past all the comments and heading straight to the bottom...  ha.--------------
Built my own machine largely based on specs from a Cakewalk approved vendor... only a bit faster.  Running Win7 64bit.
No connection to internet.....and I LOVE IT.  Machine boots up in a heartbeat and is stable as can be.  xfers via me stick. No virus software to step in and slow processes....  Also, somewhere long ago I posted a whole slew of things that you can do to streamline the Windows system (eliminating CAC readers, core parking etc.).... much faster.
So, yeah... applies to a desktop running Windows, I know.... But life so far is good.

Acronis is a wise choice.

Sit behind a NAT firewall/router and all should be well.
 
By default, any incoming connections are refused which means that nasties can only get onto your computer by virtue of dodgy outgoing connections that you make as a user.  This means don't follow suspicious links, disable browser pop-ups, don't click on any links in suspicious emails etc.
 
Run some AV software (I use M$ Security Essentials which is pretty good) and keep its definition files up to date.  Perform regular full system scans.
 
Note that connections are only established for as long as it takes to download the information (for example, a web page).  Unless you're streaming something or downloading a web page, there will be no outgoing connections from your computer to the internet even if you 'are connected'.  Some pages may download and run scripts which e.g. perform refreshes of the page, but I generally disable javascript and the like on the grounds that it's a massive security hole.
 

Just one thing. If you really want to go down the virtual machine route for surfing (tad excessive for me) make sure the service is turned off when using Sonar. And if you are using a virus scanner plus Malwarebytes (if you aren't using a virus scanner you are potty in my opinion whether you have internet or not sorry to be blunt) either of them will need to be perfectly configured to ignore certain folder paths or processes (google it)./ta

Anderton
I see some people here are very nervous about connecting to the internet due to the nasty stuff floating around, and others who aren't concerned at all. I'm going to describe what I do, and those who really know their stuff can tell me whether I'm doing anything wrong, if there are other steps I should be taking, etc. Ideally, this thread will become "The Complete Guide to How to Keep Your Music Computer Virus-Free Yet Still Use the Net When Needed."
 
1. My computer usually isn't connected. I connect only when I need something, and go to sites I trust like Cakewalk - I don't surf around.
2. I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, so I figure that will catch anything excessively weird.
3. If I get any kind of notification, e.g. an update to Adobe Flash is available, I never click on it. Instead I go to the Adobe site and download the update from there.
4. I don't download anything unless it's something I've sought out to download, and only from company sites I trust (e.g., driver update from the TASCAM site, Windows update, new trial version plug-in from Universal Audio, etc.).
5. I have an older Mac running Snow Leopard that I use for general-purpose surfing and downloading. It's Intel, though, so probably not as safe as PPC (although it seems most browsers are incompatible with it anyway).
 
 
 

Oh C'mon Craig man.
You know the title of this thread should really be:
 
Hey guys! We're thinking of making Sonar subscriptionware! What do you think? Are you connected at your DAW?
 
-- If Sonar goes subscriptionware many including me will be off to elsewhere and you will wish you all hadn't.
 
I don't believe for a second that you need to be educated.
 
That said: Thanks for Electronic Projects for Musicians.
 
:Ron
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

My security process is pretty advanced for most people but basically here's a list of things to consider
 
1. Never run as administrator, Windows installs to administrator by default and I'm sure most of you are running in administrator mode while reading this.
 
2. Linux is a very secure OS for browsing, Apple Mac OS X isn't as secure as it use to be since its popularity grew.
 
3. As mentioned, Windows installs to admin by default so every time I format and reinstall it, I don't connect or install internet drivers until I get rid of the admin status of my main account and downgrade it to a user account. All admin functions are performed on a separate admin account that has to be prompted for login (installing, changing OS settings, writing files to the C:\Windows and other system directories)
 
4. Dual booting is more of a hassle than it's worth, learn to use Virtual Machines. For those who don't know, Virtual Machines are essentially having a 2nd OS/Computer running within your current computer. Keep it in NAT mode when browsing the net or network viruses can get out into your system when browsing within the VM OS.
For a virtual machine I'd recommend VirtualBox; along with a simple linux install for browsing; and a shared folder (one connected to your actual desktop from within the VM Desktop) for exporting files.
 
5. Run antivirus and always defrag and error check your hard drives. For antivirus I recommend Kaspersky Internet Security or eSet Smart Security which can be found for cheap on Amazon or eBay. (their websites are overpriced)
 
6. Only real solution to keeping your data safe is to back it up and keep it in a safe place, such as at a trusted friends house (if it's that vital, and your house burns down) or a safe that is bolted to the ground. (I won't go into safe education much, but I can hand you a long video on the subject so you can learn)
http://youtu.be/ltK-bDbADa8?t=1m23s
 
Remember, when you use a safe you are condensing your life's wealth into one location that can be compromised or taken from you. SO GET A GOOD SAFE.
 
I could go on forever but that's just some basic tips. I've been virus free for a while now.

hockeyjx
Yea, that is a bit over the top DragonBlood for a single-purpose DAW.

 
No. For you it may be over the top, but for criminals it's not. Especially when your financial info, personal info, photos, pictures, corporate work/trade secrets, are all on your computer and are just waiting to be stolen by a hacker or criminal. Which can ruin your life and make it a living hell.
 
You can judge if it's over the top when everybody else loses it all and I'm the only one with everything still intact.