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Keeping your DAW off Internet

The way I am running things now, it is no more effort to open a minimized RDP session than it is to click on Chrome and open up a browser window.

VPN, full firewall, and ESET Antivirus and security suite. I think I am safe as I am going to get.
 
https://vi-control.net/community/th...s-10-updates-of-8-nov-2016-and-kontakt.57141/

https://vi-control.net/community/threads/windows-updates-keep-deleting-my-license-for-era-ii.69785/

https://vi-control.net/community/threads/omnisphere-problem-after-latest-update.68781/

https://vi-control.net/community/th...g-dll-files-for-sibelius-east-west-etc.73688/

https://vi-control.net/community/threads/windows-10-updates-and-daw-problems.63153/

https://vi-control.net/community/threads/win10-updates-remove-all-magix-e-licenses.69739/

https://vi-control.net/community/th...llers-unrecognized-in-komplete-kontrol.80162/

https://vi-control.net/community/th...etting-your-upgrade-ready-99-for-hours.54675/

If sufficiently motivated, I could post problems people have had with their DAW computers and unwanted web encroachments until this post was the size of a Russian novel. These are but a very few examples, using the domain-specific keywords "problem" and "updates" in Google. But there are of course many other potential problems besides OS updates, and at any rate are secondary to the much more fundamental issue of the right to privacy in one's creative workstation.
 
I wouldn't say staying online is a synonym of updating your Windows 10 as soon as the update is available...

- Piotr
 
I wouldn't say staying online is a synonym of updating your Windows 10 as soon as the update is available...

- Piotr
It's a synonym in such instances where the updates are mandatory.

And what about all of this microcode stuff for Spectre/Meltdown et al that is said to have a negative impact on, especially, older machines? I still have a Sandy Bridge CPU and I don't want that crap. Nor do I need it if my machine stays offline.

On so many, many levels, a computer that interacts as a player in global cyberspace is simply a different commodity than one that does not, and an entirely different set of rules apply. If you like having your workstation online, that's cool because that's your choice. But it should be a choice, not the price of admission for using 21st century software.
 
I dont own anything in my studio setup that "mandates" I be online all the time.
I wouldnt buy it if it did, or i would stop using it.

However, all of my systems require updates from time to time, so I will have to go online or use USB media to install updates.

I also backup/image my entire machine using Paragon, so even if I got infected, I could recover everything by simply blasting my system drive back to clean state.

All my important files are encrypted on the Cloud with Sync
 
The way I am running things now, it is no more effort to open a minimized RDP session than it is to click on Chrome and open up a browser window.

VPN, full firewall, and ESET Antivirus and security suite. I think I am safe as I am going to get.
I've thought about connecting through a VPN.
How much hassle is it?
 
I've thought about connecting through a VPN.
How much hassle is it?

one click if you use some desktop vpn solution.

vpn wont protect anyway if people keep opening supsicious emails or files on their machines.

you are safe without a vpn if you dont surf "strange" sites and take care what you download or open in your mail program.
 
I use ExpressVPN, and it is a piece of cake to use.

IMO, it is just one more layer of protection...mostly from someone knowing where you live, physically. Most IP addresses are going to pinpoint where you are on earth within a few miles. With a VPN, I can appear to be just about anywhere in the world.

I am not claiming to be any kind of expert on any of this security stuff.

There is all this opinion that you only get infected if you go to "naughty" sites. That is BS!
Any webpage that is poorly secured is at risk of being hijacked, or having malware imbedded into it, or having data breaches happen that get all your personal info...think Target, Scottrade Securities, etc.

One other thing I have been doing is using 1Password for password management and making all my passwords crazy complex. It is a PITA, but it is much more secure. And...change them often.
 
I keep mine online all the time, I also work in IT as my main job though. I just don't go on weird websites or install cracked crap. I have two-factor enabled on everything that matters.
 
Stupid question... Is it possible to have the computer physically connected (Lan) but just turn on the connection when wanted?
 
Stupid question... Is it possible to have the computer physically connected (Lan) but just turn on the connection when wanted?

windows? yes. just disable the network adapter in device managment or network adapter settings.
 
windows? yes. just disable the network adapter in device managment or network adapter settings.

Mac? Yes, just turn off your network connection. There is a switch on the top bar (on right) for both network and wifi on/off. Easy-peezy. ;)
 
Doesn't that disable VE Pro's connection?
It will if that is your only network adapter.

I run 3 network adapters (cards) in mine.

I run a dedicated Network connection between my DAW and my VST machine. Straight cable with static IP and no Gateway setup.
 
ha! way above my pay grade.

I keep all Windows machines offline. They are connected via ethernet to a Mac. So I guess it's conceivable there could be some weird way to get to them, but it would be complicated. And fruitless since they only have samples on them!
 
To suggest that ransomware or viruses are no longer a threat is total BS. Two cities in Florida have just paid over $500k each to get their files back. Large companies get millions -- millions -- of intrusion attempts a week.

Don't be naive -- protect what you have.

No one said that. It is still fear mongering. Those situations are victims of incompetent tech people. It's the naive ones that are victims by lurking where they shouldn't. Some self education eliminates the fear mongering.
I guess my only reason to be offline is when you have a rock solid version of W10. I fear Windows f'updates more than any malware.
 
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