Save game vs. "pause?"

[sqk7744]

Originally Posted by Snuffy

I for one have been a firm believer in shutting down the system when I am not on it, so I save and get out of the game. (BTW, I save every 12 hours of game play.)

I'm not too worried about load times as I have a fairly robust system.

What I do worry about is the fact that as I am connected to the internet, (broadband cable, router with firewall, etc.) and knowing the types of idiots that are out there just looking for a ping, I figure the less time I leave my system open to something like that the better off I am going to be.

So for security reasons alone ... shut it down.

SQK7744_SECURITY_RANT=ON

And 'if' someone figures out how to get your; dhcp IP from cable or dsl, makes it thru your modem and router w/firewall (check and set these settings)
Firewall Protection: Enable
IPSec Pass through: Disable
PPTP Pass through: Disable
L2TP Pass through: Disable
block WAN ping requests): Enable

It is still worth checking your bios and disabling 'wake on LAN ping'. A local internet protection suite is also a good: Norton, MacAfee, etc.

SQK7744_SECURITY_RANT=OFF

For clean power issues, would suggest a APC UPS (750es $80 usd) or similar. As stated by SteamWake, a good idea to unplug both power and internet connection from wall in lightning prone areas. After all a $2500+ computer will gladly give it's life to protect a 10 cent fuse.

No hacker in the world has figured-out how to plug your machine back into the wall via telekinesis

Time for a coffee refill, -morning Gents