how risky is it to have Macs online these days?

[Golfer]

[quote Seannie]I never shut my Macs down and they are always online... but this is a big purchase and he's sure my Macs have slowed down from being online but I frankly think they have slowed down because I have so many huge files on them... we keep adding storage space and I keep filling it up!

Thanks, everyone.... except I'm still curious about the router statement... am I covered by adding it to our existing wireless DSL connection through the 805.11 router? I think that's what it is... I'm not very technical.

Seannie
Yes, getting onto your existing network will be fine, since the router most likely has a built-in firewall. If you gave us the model of the router we could answer it 100%.

As to a slow down on your Macs, leaving them running 24/7 can possibly cause some slight slow downs, it would be best to reboot them at least once a week. You could also download Onyx (maintenance program), and run it once a month or so, it can help a system that seems sluggish.

[jdc]

[quote DharmaDog]No offense, but that is absurd, bordering on paranoid delusion.
almost took the words right out of my mouth

expose it to the risk of what?

please tell us *exactly* what this *risk* is? what is it? what is it doing to slow your mac down? please be *very* specific as to what this magical *risk* is.

remember -- no viruses. no spyware, no trojan horses, -- none of that crap on a mac -- so that cant be the *risk*.

even having huge (please define "huge", cause one persons "huge" is not another persons "huge") files wont slow your mac down unless you fill up your drives to less than 10% or so of its total capacity

FWIW, i havent rebooted except for system updates or ran any disk maintenance applications on my 4 new imacs since i bought it last october -- too many people i know think repairing permissions is a total waste of time, totally agree.

[freeradical]

User Profile : Seannie
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Posts: 6
Date Registered: 11/10/2007 09:32PM
Last Activity: 05/13/2008 10:04PM

Enough said

[Seannie]

Thanks, Golfer... It's a 2 Wire 1800HG Gateway Router supplied by our DSL service.

I appreciate the Onyx referral and will take your advice to reboot.

I suppose we are all paranoid about something in life, eh, DharmaDog? For me, it's spiders... he's a great husband so I'll give him some latitude to over- worry about my computers. You all gave me what I needed to get clearance and for that, I'm grateful

I can't be two specific about the risk, DharmaDog.... remember, we're dealing with "paranoid delusion" I'm told ;-) As far as file sizes... I currently have 2.5 TB of storage and about 350 GB left. Mostly photos, designs, logos and video.

[macnut]

In my experience, the biggest reason for declining performance is lack of maintenance or memory, other than obsolescence, of course. With memory so inexpensive, just max out. Rebooting often clears things out.

[Don Kiyoti]

[quote freeradical]User Profile : Seannie
Email: Hidden
Posts: 6
Date Registered: 11/10/2007 09:32PM
Last Activity: 05/13/2008 10:04PM

Enough said
Yes, enough to make you look foolish. Jeez...

[Article Accelerator]

Years online: 16
Anti-virus utilities used: 0
Malware infections: 0
Value of that secure feeling that comes from using Macs exclusively: priceless

[freeradical]

[quote Don Kiyoti]

Yes, enough to make you look foolish. Jeez...

[Article Accelerator]

[quote Golfer]You could also download Onyx (maintenance program), and run it once a month or so, it can help a system that seems sluggish.
Or simply safe boot, then restart normally. No need for over-ambitious utilities.

[Golfer]

[quote Seannie] It's a 2 Wire 1800HG Gateway Router supplied by our DSL service.
That model does have a built-in firewall, so you're good to go unless you start opening ports in the firewall. As most have said, as of this time there are no malware/viruses in the wild that effect Macs. But being behind a firewall will increase the security of your machines as they will stop people from trying to get into your machine from an online attack. I don't know that it is overly necessary with Macs, but it never hurts to make sure your system protected every way possible.