Advice needed on disconnecting Internet completely

I have had more than my share of Sonar issues over the past few years it seems, lots of crashes and unexpected problems and frustrations. In researching this idly last week I ran across someone who said the most foolproof thing would be to disconnect my DAW computer from the Internet entirely. This will enable me to also uninstall virus protection and any other software whose resource-heavy job is to protect you from the Internet's evils. Anything like downloading drivers or researching music on Spotify would be done on a completely different machine sitting nearby, and Flash drives would be used for installing Sonar updates, drivers, etc.
 
I have a laptop around I never use, and so I'm thinking about doing this. Has anyone here done that? Are there other things I'm not thinking of that I could delete or settings to change to take advantage of this change? I'm worried I'll do this and notice no improvement in stability or performance, and that will be because there are additional steps I need to take. Or maybe this is a bad idea? Advice?

jkoseattle . . . I would echo what John has said, and the only time I feel like I need to disconnect the internet (Wi-Fi) on my system is when I'm doing an export to audio, or when I'm running a project at sample rate higher than 44.1k
 
Looking at your specs, it seems I have a similar audio card and midi hook-up to yours, and I can say that I rarely have any crashing, though you do have less RAM / CPU, and I wonder how much system resource "EastWest PLAY Symphonic Orchestra" uses up on your system ?
 
I use MS Security Essentials for virus protection, which has a very low system footprint.
 
Also, since upgrading to Sonar Platinum, there is a marked increase in my system efficiency.

I keep my music rig offline. Yesterday I installed Musescore on it, by using my other computer and an external drive. I think it's smart to do this, although obviously you're going to get differing views on this. It gives me a feeling of confidence. And privacy. Further, when online on my other computer, I use Linux Zorin 90% of the time. (Had to use Windows to download Musecore, but that's because my music machine has Windows 7). Linux, needless to say, is far safer than Windows. I think risk-reduction is a very good idea these days. Why wouldn't you?

michael diemer
...Linux, needless to say, is far safer than Windows. ..

That may have been correct back when xp ruled the world.. Now there is a different story:
 
http://www.gfi.com/blog/most-vulnerable-operating-systems-and-applications-in-2014/
This is a list of os vulnerabilities in 2014... OS X leads the pack, then iOS, then Linux, and with a large margin afterwards, Windows. Several versions of windows are listed, but the same vulnerabilities affect different versions of windows, still, the total number of vulnerabilities was 68 for windows, while the Linux kernal had 119. That's not including the different "flavors" of Linux.
 
The main message when it comes to keeping your computer clean is to be very mindful of what you do on the net. Don't just click any link, but use common sense.  My DAW is connected to the net (via a hardware firewall) and has no virus scanner running. Haven't had issues on that machine up to now (I do an online scan from time to time to make sure). On the computers I use to surf the net, I do have a virus scanner, and even then I'm using my head when working on it. I don't install software I don't know (or trust), Mails are scrutinezed always. I read every message that appears on my computer before I click anything.
 
Been working with computers now for the past 35 years. Only had 2 viruses, and both were my own fault.
 
I can understand you like to use Linux, but please don't fuel the gossip. Windows is currently one of the most secure os you can install. One big "if" though... Don't switch off the built-in security, like UAC. On Linux, you don't switch it off either, so why would you on windows?

On a similar subject, if a laptop has a "Flight Mode" switch, would there be any benefit in turning that on, thus disconnecting from t'internet?

Doktor Avalanche

rebel007
I often disconnect from the net when using Sonar. It’s just a matter of pulling the plug and replacing when finished. 

If you right click and disable the network adapter whilst using Sonar you disable the network stack (you don't need to pull the plug), and you will see more of a performance benefit. If I were to do this (I don't) I would probably write a batch file or something so it's quick and easy to do, or just drag the adapter icons onto my desktop, thus creating a shortcut

If i remember correctly Bitflipper wrote a batch file to disable/enable the Networking (in the Techniques forum ? I'm not at my desktop - its in France, i am in China - but its quite recent).

I used it for W7 where i had great problems - latency with ndis file - but with W10 i don't need to.

cheers,
Jerry

Thanks about the info regarding disabling the network stack Doktor, that sounds like a much easier method than just pulling the plug.
Automatic updates could be a problem Jim? My conspiracy theorist left brain has always wondered what would happen if someone were to be able to hijack the windows update system and insert something nefarious (my latest favourite word). Doesn't bear thinking about really.

The OP has not returned, but looking at the computer specs I'd say by today's standards no wonder they are having some issues. A more up to date system would be better at dealing with on line stuff. And the M audio Delta? isn't that sort of old too? 
Myself I have a wireless USB dongle and I just disconnect it if I'm in that sort of mood. For me it's more a case of saving bandwith with my 3 GB limit. I need control over what my computers are doing on line so I turn it off unless I'm using it. 

Consider dual boot.
Cheers..

williamcopper
There's still something on my system that periodically upsets sonar, and I'm sure it is a program trying to get to its internet home in order to report on me, or check for updates, or something ...

If you were sure what it actually is you would have resolved the issue by now, I wouldn't assume anything myself.. Maybe we can help ..I'd start a new thread for that.