Yes, install it and turn it off  :} 
The link in post # 20 seems promising for AV research.
 
I use a program called CCleaner  on my on line computers, which seems to always ferret out maleware and spyware if any. It also cleans unwanted things from your registry. It will make a back up for you first. Seems to perk up a bogged down machine sort of like running windows cleaner utility did in XP. 

If my DAW wasn't connected to the Web, I'd never read the forum.  :P

On my laptop I use Nrton 360 because it comes free with Comcast, it has a "silent mode" that I use when I run Sonar (sometimes). The main thing that causes me any problem on this machine is if I forget to disable WIFI.
 
I use CCleaner too, Malwarebytes free, between them if I get a problem it is quickly resolved... NOTE: this is using Windows 7. When I was on XP, well that was horse of a different color. With XP I was constantly removing something. I used a program called Hijackthis. HJT is still a good program. You can take a look at and remove anything from the registry with it. To know what you're doing you can either dig through Google resuts looking for what anything that you are suspicious about is, OR.. if it is an .exe file you can copy/paste it from the list that HJT saves to your desktop into the website: www.processlibrary.com to see if it is something that you want or not. Of course it is a good idea to create a system restore point first. That reminds me, sometimes a simple system restore to a few days earlier will fix anything.
With my online computer I also keep Popup Blocker by Panicware running, it is a good free utility.
 
I used to spend a good bit of time at some of the malware forums and learned a lot.
 
My Studiocat is going to be online as little as possible and with Jim's guidance until I learn what to do or not do but I am going to take the Bert Lance's advice and, "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I may go direct to sites like Toontrack IK, or NI etc to download programs and audio/midi... but I don't think I will need OS updates or other system updates because as long as X3 (X4) works right I'm not going to mess with it. I do not plan to put an anti virus program on the Studiocat at all, no popup blocker or anything like that. I have an ASUS N-10 USB WIFI adapter but I don't know if I will use it or even if it will work on that computer. I'll probably just plug in a Ethernet cable if I need to go online for anything.
Back to the laptop... Windows 7 has been so much more secure than XP ever was. I assume W8 will be even more secure.
 
@ Danny, I use a really good surge protector but after reading your post, I may just keep my DAW turned off and unplugged when not in use. I know that lightning can still get it if it's in the cards, but I think it will be a lot less likely if it is not plugged in.
Is there anything, any problem that I might be more apt to have if I am powering the computer on/off instead of leaving it sleeping when not in use? Of course when I use X3 I use a modified "always on" power scheme.
 
Good thread,
J

Craig, after reading a SOS article by Martin Walker questioning the need to stay off line with a DAW, i am now connected 24/7 etc. but each to his/her own, whatever works etc.

I use MSE ( on Windows 7 x64 ) plus Malwarebytes Pro version which catches out regularly, in a live situation, some "reliable" sites that try and change your browser opening page etc.

So far ( last 3/4 years ) nothing caught.

Of couse, as echoed before, practising safe browsing is paramount !

Cheers,
Jerry

I always have my music computer online and have never had an issue.
Some additional tips to what Craig suggested.
 
- Make sure your PC is connected to the internet via a modern router with a built in firewall (which is turned on!). I use an ASUS AC66 router which has all kinds of advanced security features built in. Keep your router firmware up to date. Many exploits can be avoided by this first line of defense.
 
- Generally avoid web browsing on your music PC. However here is a tip if you need to browse something and are unsure of the site. Keep a virtual machine image handy on your music PC and run all browsing sessions inside the virtual machine. This prevents you from infecting your PC since if you get a virus it will infect the VM not your actal PC :) Each time you exit the vm you should discard any changes so you start clean the next time. Various virtual machine options are VMWare player, Hyper-V or virtual box.

My system is for my Internet computer is as follows:
1-Netgear router with firewall
2-windows firewall
3-ME - runs a full scan at least once a week.
4-Malwarebytes Pro that runs once a day
5-Ccleaner - free version - scan once a week, including registry scan

My desktop computer was online all the time. Atm I don't have access to it. It is protected with Comodo's free but good Internet suite. Also I use Sandboxie which is a super easy to use virtualizing program and it is supposed to be like almost unbeatable. Then for malware hunt I have Super Antispyware and free Anti Malwarebytes. And then I use plugins in my browsers that filter flash ads. I also use Enhanced Mitigation
Experience Toolkit and I check often that I have the latest flash player. I also use a router with a firewall. Not many problems in many years. At least not many problems that I know of...
kakku

My point about disconnecting the network cable may have been lost in the examples of noise on the wire. The network devices are usually not connected to the power filters. And therefore all the crap on the line, including lighting surges are directed into the computer bypassing the UPS and filters. Hence the need to pull the plug.

A client recently got zapped via the phone/fax line conntected to the printer/fax connected to the computer via USB. Nuked the printer, computer's mainboard, wireless card, and the monitor.  The computer was off.
 
Internet stuff: Most of my clients do not surf to stupid sites. Most have not had infections of any type. And many call me if they spot an email/website that does not make them feel happy.
 
I have not had an issue with this computer since it has become general purpose about 9 months ago. Not being connected is not as much of an issue as it was because we are more aware.
 
AND:::::   disconnecting the network cable, and disabling the network card does NOT stop the auto-run/timer-based apps from auto-running. The network browser will constantly attempt to determine who is the master. The AV programs, user experience tasks, license verifiers,... all will continue to run and often add errors to the event list. Some of these can be disabled. Some of them require Cyclopsian strength and perseverance to find and squash. And some cannot be stopped, merely thwarted.
 
And: as it is by design by the MS jerks that the network interface is ALWAYS powered, even when the computer is "off," the only way to remove the network interface from the system configuration is disabling through BIOS.
 
But, how many of us have the patience to review all of this regularly as the MS dudes change settings via updates?
 
Good thing I can blame the sound card drivers for any Sonar problems.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
- Generally avoid web browsing on your music PC. However here is a tip if you need to browse something and are unsure of the site. Keep a virtual machine image handy on your music PC and run all browsing sessions inside the virtual machine. This prevents you from infecting your PC since if you get a virus it will infect the VM not your actal PC :) Each time you exit the vm you should discard any changes so you start clean the next time. Various virtual machine options are VMWare player, Hyper-V or virtual box.

This is really good advice from a man who obviously knows, but the "each time you exit" part was something I skipped after getting infected for the first time ever last year from an ad. (Adaware on the browser wasn't active on my brand new Win 8 machine yet.) I was tasked with solving a specific XP web developer issue and needed to install a VM. I had to wipe it clean. I don't think I would have been bitten if not for the VM. Luckily it was so new that it wasn't a big deal.
 
The reason I'm speaking up is that everyone is free to treat their DAW machine however they see fit, but no matter what there are no guarantees. I've become used to reformatting drives and reinstalling OS' every few months. Your data isn't necessarily bound to your machine. Setup a backup. Setup more than one. I find it imperative to keep my main DAW connected because my laptops are usually in my backpack ready for work.
 
So if this thread has anything to do with the recent survey, the fear of a subscription model, or the lack of Gobbler participation, the answers speak for themselves. Users are still skiddish and the evidence supports it.

What does "browsing" mean?  General browsing? Like reading Google news?
 
I search for and browse websites.  I DO NOT download much stuff cuz I got all I need.  I do get PDF files and the such. And applications from websites I trust, such as KVR, XLN, CW,...
 
Should I have not downloaded to this computer the item i purchased yesterday from the CW store?  Maybe not. Given that MS defender may not have scanned for all the items that could have infected the CW server before anybody knew about it.
 
Thought I was doing OK. But ya'll gots me nervous now.
 
So I will scan with Malwarebytes, and SuperAntispyware, and maybe run the Kaspersky tool overnight.
 
"Oh, what a world, what a world."
 
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