I have never updated my DAW program probably missing sumpin' but because I don't know what, I really don't miss it.

For a perfectly tweaked DAW, don't connect it to the net. Don't even install antivirus on it. Use a separate machine to download updates and burn them onto a flash drive or CD rom. Scan them on the same internet machine with antivirus software. Once you're sure they are clean then take that CDR or USB drive and load them on your DAW computer. As to the operating system, there is no real need to update it if everything is already running perfectly and it never touches other computers or the world wide web.

that's what i do.my daws computer(good old reliable XP) never sees the internet.as a matter of fact, i don't even install the lan drivers or on board audio.
all the services are turned off except plug and play and a few other.
from msconfig, i cancel all auto start ups.
in systems i use custom performance.
no screen saver or sleep mode.
bare minimun SP2 so i get hi speed usb.
no security no games, i uninstall everything that's not audio specific. i strip it right down.
it starts and runs like a rabbit. my biggest project so far was 50+tracks with several plug-ins and no problems.

I'm always connected, no problems for over a decade using Macs.

Well, without starting the whole Mac vs PC b***s***, in the past five years viruses are popping up in the Mac world too. As market share grows the target becomes more enticing to the hackers.

As to having a DAW computer connected to the web, no one who is serious about pro audio recording whether they use Mac or Windows should have their DAW connected to the web. Period. No good can come of it. Do some people multipurpose their machines? Sure. Those are not full time recording engineers though.

So how do you guys activate certain VI's like EZdrummer that require an internet connection?

Would I be considered a smart a@# if I said my easy drummer gets paid by the session or gig?

Most pro level VSTi's and plugs have options for activation other than the internet such as iLok or even key files that are downloaded to usb drives for transfer to the destination computer.

llatht, post: 301225 wrote: Just curious how most people get their updates and what not for their DAW's if technically they should never touch the net. I usually just turn my virus protection on, plug in my dsl cable, get what I need to as quickly as possible, get off, unplug the dsl cable, and turn off virus protection.

This is like bad high school ***: "Honest honey, I'll pull out in time!" Maintain internet virginity. Transfer from one machine to the other.

Ok guys, I get it. And no I didn't think your comments were inaproppriate, they were funny - as intended....Thanks for the lesson.

llatht, post: 301225 wrote: Just curious how most people get their updates and what not for their DAW's if technically they should never touch the net. I usually just turn my virus protection on, plug in my dsl cable, get what I need to as quickly as possible, get off, unplug the dsl cable, and turn off virus protection.

If you are not on the net and everything is working, why do you need to update anything in the OS? If you need an update to an app, pull it down with another maching and move it with s thumb drive or eqivilant.

Yes, I was of corse referring to the apps. I actually didn't know I could take an activation code from one machine to the other until a few days ago. I never use to touch computers until I started recording music so there's alot I have to learn on that end. My DAW will never again touch the net...and I did a complete reinstall of Windows and all my apps too! Thanks for setting me strait guys! This is a great forum!

TheJackAttack, post: 301282 wrote: Well, without starting the whole Mac vs PC b***s***, in the past five years viruses are popping up in the Mac world too. As market share grows the target becomes more enticing to the hackers.

As to having a DAW computer connected to the web, no one who is serious about pro audio recording whether they use Mac or Windows should have their DAW connected to the web. Period. No good can come of it. Do some people multipurpose their machines? Sure. Those are not full time recording engineers though.

No virus exist, because nothing can be installed without admin privilages on a mac. some of the torrent apps contain trojans, that still require admin rights.

I own both platforms, just pointing out that my Macs are always connected, my PCs never.

Viruses do in fact exist for Mac. To state otherwise is grossly misinformed. All the major antivirus software companies make versions for Mac.

As of today there are many many many fewer viruses that affect Mac products than there are affecting Windows. That's just a given. That ratio will continue to change in the future however just as it has in the last five years.

yeah, ilok plugs into the office computer, download licenses, carry it through. bit of a pain but if it means your main recording computer never ever stops working through user error, well worth it.

I just got an iLok a few days ago (had to for the Waves Musicians Pack 2). I'm getting the hang of all this stuff I think. I definately feel more comfortable keeping my DAW internet free!

same,

I have Sequoia 11. It uses a codemeter. Works great. Once its activated, I can take it to any DAW that's never had to be online. This was a major attraction for me. However, I must admit, I have had my main DAW online for a few updates. But I never surf. I've been on Mac for 10 years and never worried about a thing. I've never had a problem that I know of...
Is it that serious even having it have access or being online for an update or two, you think?

imo it's not a problem to get updates and stuff like that especially with macs.
myself,im on p.c. so to even go online with my computer, i have to have all the updates,security,and maybe spybot and i would need to install the lan drivers and other programs that i normally would not install.
so now the computer is slower cause it's running all that stuff in the background in addition to my audio.not to mention that windows and other security apps are always trying to update while im working on something.
it's less efficent for a windows machine.

TheJackAttack, post: 301282 wrote: Well, without starting the whole Mac vs PC b***s***, in the past five years viruses are popping up in the Mac world too. As market share grows the target becomes more enticing to the hackers.

As to having a DAW computer connected to the web, no one who is serious about pro audio recording whether they use Mac or Windows should have their DAW connected to the web. Period. No good can come of it. Do some people multipurpose their machines? Sure. Those are not full time recording engineers though.

There has never been a virus in the wild on a Mac. There have been other baddies, but nothing on a Mac. Keep Windoze off it (aka never do Bootcamp to a Win OS) and you'll be okay.

Are there any real Mac viruses out there?

Some try to answer this question literally, based on the strict definition of 'virus' - i.e. malicious software that infects other files. But the term 'virus' is used much more loosely these days and in that context refers to malicious software in general (or what the industry terms 'malware'). The answer also depends on the version of the Mac operating system (OS) in question. While Windows tends to be essentially the same "under the hood", the various flavors of the Macintosh OS vary widely. Thus the answer to the question is Yes, there are real Mac viruses out there. But whether you are vulnerable or not depends on the OS. As for malware in general, it's an even stronger Yes.

edit:
Also to be noted is that Safari is one of the easiest browsers to compromise for example via flash or java.

TheJackAttack, post: 344049 wrote: Are there any real Mac viruses out there?

Some try to answer this question literally, based on the strict definition of 'virus' - i.e. malicious software that infects other files. But the term 'virus' is used much more loosely these days and in that context refers to malicious software in general (or what the industry terms 'malware'). The answer also depends on the version of the Mac operating system (OS) in question. While Windows tends to be essentially the same "under the hood", the various flavors of the Macintosh OS vary widely. Thus the answer to the question is Yes, there are real Mac viruses out there. But whether you are vulnerable or not depends on the OS. As for malware in general, it's an even stronger Yes.

edit:
Also to be noted is that Safari is one of the easiest browsers to compromise for example via flash or java.

I was going on the strict definition of virus. Those who work with computers tend to be very literal when using their terms, as am I.
I don't know how to take your statements: While Windows tends to be virtually the same 'under the hood' the various flavors of Mac OS tend to vary widely. Thus the answer to the question is Yes, there are real Mac viruses out there'. Is that supposed to mean because the Mac OS varies through the years (I would hardly say wildly) it is prone to viruses? If so, then I think you're wrong. It's because Windoze has been virtually the same 'under the hood' there's all kinds of junk out there ready to do in that OS. Mac has one of the most secure OS underpinnings out there - Unix.
I still stand by my assertion that there's never been a Mac virus in the wild.

You don't have to know how to take my statements. As someone who provides tech support for computer end users and even to some Mac end users, I have more than a passing interest in internet security protocols-with regards to personal/business data if nothing else. Also, I'll stand by my statement that no full time audio DAW should be connected to the internet. If one is dual use or part time then there are mitigating circumstances sometimes but it is still not recommended at all.

More to the point, this has once again devolved into a Mac agenda instead of answering the original question posed by the original poster. Which really didn't have anything to do with a Mac since he doesn't own one. Get over it.

musicman691, post: 344061 wrote: I was going on the strict definition of virus. Those who work with computers tend to be very literal when using their terms, as am I.
I don't know how to take your statements: While Windows tends to be virtually the same 'under the hood' the various flavors of Mac OS tend to vary widely. Thus the answer to the question is Yes, there are real Mac viruses out there'. Is that supposed to mean because the Mac OS varies through the years (I would hardly say wildly) it is prone to viruses? If so, then I think you're wrong. It's because Windoze has been virtually the same 'under the hood' there's all kinds of junk out there ready to do in that OS. Mac has one of the most secure OS underpinnings out there - Unix.
I still stand by my assertion that there's never been a Mac virus in the wild.

True, none in the wild only proof of concept from security software makers.

Over fifteen years of use, never owned any anti-virus apps.

Educate: http://blog.macsales.com/4464-we-dont-need-no-stinking-badges