Running a Studio Sonar computer isolated

Anyone run sonar on a studio computer you leave disconnected from the internet? I'm starting to think about having my studio system completely shut off from the net. I'll only connect it for updates and maintenance. I can just use another system for everything else. That way I just have a pure dedicated sonar workstation. Or is that being paranoid, like not going outside cause you might trip on a crack?
 
 
 

I keep mine off the t'interweb. Its evil!!!

It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you.
 
Actually, fear of a hostile internet isn't the main reason to disconnect. Steps can be taken to protect your computer from evildoers, such as not using your DAW for general web browsing and email. The compelling reason to take your DAW off the net is that network interfaces and drivers think they are the most important components in your computer and have no problem sucking valuable CPU cycles away from audio processes, which for normal computers is way down on the list of priorities.

I dual boot my machine. Using Windows 10 and disabled all networking, firewall, virus scan, etc.Windows runs considerably faster with all of the networking stuff turned off. I also don't like Microsoft getting reports from my machine on everything I do, so now it can't get them. System is much more stable, too.
 
Use Linux Mint for web surfing and most every thing else.

I have my wireless off and only connect to the internet via a dsl land line.  And then I only update the computer (win 7) and programs and then disconnect.
 
@

I use an Ethernet cable so don't have any issues. If your router is anywhere near it I would recommend (In the end I cabled all the rooms in my house, no regrets).

I only connect my DAW when I want to update things or install new software. I built this machine specifically for audio and have a laptop for my general intertubing (which I can keep in the room with my as I work at the DAW if I want to research something or get the ole intertube itch).
 
When I DO go online though I turn my antivirus back on BEFORE I plug in my network cable (I specifically did not install a wifi adapter on the system) then the first thing I do is update the antivirus. Then I'll update Windows (particularly the security updates). I may also do a quick scan of the system.
 
My internet settings are set to the maximum protection levels and I use NoScript and Adblock+ in my browser which blocks EVERYTHING except the bare bones of a website. I only enable scripts absolutely necessary to accomplish my updates. It's all the third party domains that allow the virus and nasty critter to creep in (at least on trusted/secure/reputable sites).
 
Before I download anything (but sometimes after and before I install) I create a Windows system restore point so if something wonky happens I can get back to where I was (much quicker than system image and doesn't require a huge chunk of storage space... but not as resistant to full on failure).
 
Paranoid? Hellz ya... but it's the internet. Things happen and even the "trusted" software manufacturers put all sorts of dumb crap that auto connects to do "helpful" things. When I'm at the DAW I'm doing music stuff and I expect the DAW to focused on exactly that. Not pissing around in the background having a little chat with god knows what server.

Doktor Avalanche
Strongly recommend you don't disable your firewall and antivirus unless you never ever connect to the internet and never ever update You will be if updating Sonar and running windows update I assume. Win10 updates are making the OS faster and more stable (an OS that has yet to fully mature). In theory viruses and malicious activity can be detected even after something has been downloaded and installed (several layers of security).

No plans on updating Windows 10. It runs just fine and the only things I do on it are Sonar (X3e) and Microsoft Access (2007). When it was on Win 8 and then 8.1 it kept slowing down more and more with each update. I'll skip the updates to keep it running consistent. And as you can see, there is no need to update Sonar (no longer being updated by Cakewalk) and previously there was not a single update that improved the performance of Office 2007. I'll just keep it as is and disconnected.

MandolinPicker
When it was on Win 8 and then 8.1 it kept slowing down more and more with each update.

Probably because you were being selective about updates or some other unrelated factor. Win 8.x kept releasing performance patches which did exactly as they said on the tin, worked for me the OS just got faster and faster. It's been like that since Windows 7 (earlier incarnation of the OS often did suffer from the behavior you described). One of the reasons MS forced updates upon people in Windows 10 was because machines on some random patch level were far harder to fix and improve (unpredictable), rather than a whole load of machines on exactly the same patch level.
 
Anyway good luck with that strategy . You will never know what the future improvements may bring ;).
As you are sticking with X3E I get your strategy however...
 

Kylotan
Zero-day exploits for current operating systems and browsers are quite rare. The majority of the time, the problem is fixed before there's any evidence of anyone being affected by it. You might argue that it's not worth taking even that risk. I'd argue you're better off staying online and getting updates regularly.

 
I would argue that if you do this then you don't really need to do that... doesn't apply. i.e. I locked the door so it's fine to keep the windows open. Security is all about having several layers of protection.
 

Kylotan
If you're diligent about shutting off unnecessary services then it's just as secure as having no firewall. Most people don't have the time or interest to learn that diligence which is where firewalls help.

And make sure you don't use a web browser or have anything that polls the internet, or run any updating programs which in turn may have vulnerabilities, or for that matter anything that polls the internet.
 
Firewalls not only block what's coming in, but quite often what is going out.
If you are running internet without a firewall, that's complete madness IMHO, even if you think you have disabled everything that could get to it there are still vulnerabilities.
 
Cheers...

SMcNamara
On a related point, I have a USB wifi adapter that I would plug in, update and then "disconnect" from the System Tray icon.  Then unplug the USB adapter.  I sense I could go into the Device Manager, right-click and disable a USB port that the adapter sits in but how do I know which USB item in Device Manager would be correct?
 
Thanks,
 
Steve

In your case the quickest way to simply unplug the USB cable from your laptop. Then it will no longer appear in device manager anyway.
 
The other way is to right click and disable the adapter from:
Control Panel->Network and Internet->Network Connections
 
Ta,

Doktor Avalanche

SMcNamara
On a related point, I have a USB wifi adapter that I would plug in, update and then "disconnect" from the System Tray icon.  Then unplug the USB adapter.  I sense I could go into the Device Manager, right-click and disable a USB port that the adapter sits in but how do I know which USB item in Device Manager would be correct? 
Thanks,
Steve

In your case the quickest way to simply unplug the USB cable from your laptop. Then it will no longer appear in device manager anyway.
The other way is to right click and disable the adapter from:
Control Panel->Network and Internet->Network Connections
Ta,

Thanks Doktor.

One point I often make is being offline alone does not protect you from viruses. In a non music environment we had a situation where computers not connected were being infected from removable media. They were vulnerable as they were not receiving security patches and AV updates. This can be managed of course and you have to be very careful with thumb drives etc.

My DAW stays on line (ethernet) but just for updates etc. I have not noticed any performance issues. I use another PC for email, browsing and most downloads. Both have stayed uninfected. A third PC the grand kids use needs cleaning quite often. They click on anything. I suspect links in social media for most of it.

Your router is the front line of defence, as long as you have the security set up it will block most intrusion attempts. If you log in to the router and view the logs you will probably see evidence of attempted intrusions.

JClosed
The problem is not only that you can catch a virus. The real problem these day's is the increase of ransom-ware. Imagine your costumer comes by to see (or better - hear) how things are progressing, but you can't do anything because all your data is encrypted and thus unreadable - Including all your costumer's data. You have to pay (most times in bit coin) to get your stuff unlocked again.
 
It does not hurt to be on the safe side of things. It is not really paranoia to restrict Internet access. There are really people out there that want to get into your computer. They are not interested what is in your data (mostly). They only want to strip you of your money.

That's just spreading paranoia imho. Just buy a decent antivirus and make sure your firewall precautions work, and patch your machine.

On the subject of wifi network adaptors, they're notorious for causing problems in Windows DAWs and video editing workstations. Surely there must be at least one company that can turn out an interface and driver that doesn't hog the PCI bus, or MS could fix the problem if it's Windows fault.

Apple use intel hardware but OS X doesn't have the wifi dpc latency problem at all and never has. I'm tempted to use bootcamp to put Windows on one of our Macs just to see if the problem is there when Windows is running on Apple hardware and using Apple-supplied drivers.