Exactly When Are We Online?

We are here, the Internet is there, a wall is between. On dial-up, we can be attacked only when a phone connection to the Internet opens a door in that wall. Am I right? On DSL, are we open to attack only when actively online (mail, searching, visiting sites), or is the whole wall missing every second the computer is turned on, even with mail and browser windows closed? (Maybe this is a no-answer question, like whether to power down or put it to sleep.)

 

Adding to Steve's post, chances are you're behind a NAT router which purely by chance provides a natural firewall. That in addition to a software/hardware firewall and simple common sense should be enough to protect you but for the extremely paranoid you could always remove the network cable/disable wireless when you don't require network/internet acess

Edit: You may also wish to read our malware analyst's (Broni) oft quoted link How did I get Infected?

 

I have a PC that has been on DSL for over 12 years. Never has it been shut down other than a restart that may be necessary for a program to finish installing. I am behind a router and also use Windows Firewall. It has NEVER had anything bad happen to it the whole time. It and everything else is on 7/24/365.

 

I have Windows 7 using DSL, and I have ME using dial-up because I couldn't get DSL for that old system. W7 has security features, but sometimes I have to use ME. So about my question---I guess DSL is open to possible attack every second the computer is turned on even if not being used. Just wondering.

 

The answer is it depends

If you are connected via a router then 1)there's no reason why you shouldn't get ME to work with that anyway and 2) You can be vulnerable but the router offers a degree of protection.

If you're connecting via a modem then assuming no ME drivers are installed/available then no you're safe. Although there may be a physical connection the two devices (your computer and the modem) are not communicating.