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Joined: May 2008
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Hello:
I am getting a new Windows 7 computer and will try Microsoft Security Essentials as my anti-virus software.
I have been using McAfee, and it has one feature in it's firewall that I really like:
With just one mouse click I can instantly lock down all internet activity.
It's really handy when I'm recording. Nothing tried to update or anything else when I'm in the middle of a session.
Does anyone know if there is a standalone firewall program that would work with Microsoft Security Essentials that would give the me the feature of instantly locking down internet traffic?
Thanks for any suggestions.
John
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Anonymous
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Um.... if you want to lock down internet activity, pull the CAT5 cable out of the network card. Or disable your wireless NIC.
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You beat me to it Eddie! I was just getting ready to say that.
It's foolproof and it's free.
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Eddie, Bob:
Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I know I could pull the cable, but because of it's location, it's not very convenient at all. That's why I like being having the firewall software where I can just click and lock everything down. For my setup, it much easier.
Any ideas on the standalone firewall from my original post?
Thanks.
John
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John,
Control Panel – Network and Internet – Network and Sharing Center – click disconnect
When you're finished, follow the same path - click connect.
You've already got what you need built into Win 7.
Add MS Essentials and you're good to go.
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Quote:
Hello:
I am getting a new Windows 7 computer and will try Microsoft Security Essentials as my anti-virus software.
I have been using McAfee, and it has one feature in it's firewall that I really like:
With just one mouse click I can instantly lock down all internet activity.
It's really handy when I'm recording. Nothing tried to update or anything else when I'm in the middle of a session.
Does anyone know if there is a standalone firewall program that would work with Microsoft Security Essentials that would give the me the feature of instantly locking down internet traffic?
Thanks for any suggestions.
John
If it was me I'd strip down the old computer of all progs except email, Internet and maybe a few other essentials. I'd relegate the new machine to just music related and totally keep it off the Internet.I have 4 machines set up for various tasks.I use Linux for anything Internet.
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Joined: May 2008
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
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Silvertones:
Separate computers is a good idea. I just don't have the space to do that.
Bob:
Concerning your idea of going to:
"Control Panel – Network and Internet – Network and Sharing Center – click disconnect
When you're finished, follow the same path - click connect." ... would that require the computer to reconfigure the IP address each time I hit connect?
I don't know much about how that works.
Also, regarding the idea of just pulling the cable: If I got an ethernet cable connector with two cables and had the connector is a convenient place, would that also work?
Thanks.
John
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Well if I right click on my free comodo firewall in system tray select firewall security level and block all, I believe it works takes abotu 1 sec
Good firewall, don't install geekbuddy though when installing just do a custom install.
musiclover
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Set it up for two different profiles.
One profile, the Main Default, set up to run things normally, and go online.
The second profile, I typically name something like "DAW" -- and it is set up with the NIC card disabled, NO Antivirus running to slow down disk streaming for no good reason, plus any other tweaks necessary to turn the puter into a lean, mean, recording machine.
Switching profiles is then just a matter of choosing Restart and making the selection at Reboot.
And that may seem like it takes too long, but think about this: When you perform the Profile switch via the Reboot, you also clear all resources, such as RAM usage and certain Temp files, which will only serve to allow the machine to do your Recording or other music-making tasks faster and likely better.
--Mac
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I call that a plug. Or all the plugs into a power bar with a switch where you put the modem and other stuff that 's not the actual computing box. Bang, and off you go. No access.
Now if you donna wanna sit there all night, thats another horse of a matter of course, having a paint job of another hue. If you get my sna drift. But you'll have to ask one of the other brothers from a similar mother about the sna', fer it derives from the brow of a bra and bonnie lass.
Ach aye and Joey set me to it. It's nay a Gordon fer me, unless we are talking about a dram. An poor Rabbie, I've done him wrong, him and his mousie.
Gin a body, drink a Gordon's, makin' mine sa dry, ...never mind.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Comodo Firewall, free, (http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/) has a check box on its control screen "Stop All Traffic". You can also select "Block All" with a right click to its system tray icon. I think that is what you are looking for. I can't vouch for compatibility with other software.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Anonymous
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I am still at a loss on this because a firewall will block TRAFFIC, not the computer operation trying to USE that traffic. In the OP you were looking to block the CPU interruption caused by anything trying to poll. The firewall isn't going to stop that. It is only going to deny the actualy traffic. The CPU will still be interrupted. To stop any IRQ you will need to turn your network connectivity off, shut off anything that ever updates, like anti virus software, real player, adobe, office, windows updates....
Also, if you DO set it up that way, you will get an even bigger interruption when the firewall puts up a message saying "SOMEONE TRIED TO ACCESS YOUR COMPUTER BUT WE GOTCHO' BACK AND STOPPED THEM!"
Open up task manager, go to the performance tab, let your system sit and settle to what you think is a totally idle state, and watch how it still uses cycles. Then nudge your mouse and see the cycle use go up slghtly. It will go from 2% to maybe 9%. And that is from moving your mouse maybe 10 pixels. Imagine how many CPU cycles would be used for a firewall to receive a packet, analyze it, reject it, and then display a message which it retrieved from the hard drive storage, sent it through the CPU to the RAM, from the RAM to the video bus, through the card and to the screen.
This is why it was suggested by a few people that you have a pristine computer if you are that concerned with your CPU getting an IRQ for an update poll. The OS, minimum video and sound drivers, and BIAB. Period.
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Eddie, doesn't Mac have the correct solution for someone who just wants one computer? A second user profile can be set up to disable anything that could interfere with music production, right?
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Eddie explains the difference.
Software firewall, depending on software, can be hacked by other software.
The Hardware Profile, on the other hand, when told not to even turn on the NIC card, prevents *any* intrusion. Period.
And besides the above, the Software firewall situation does indeed chew up CPU cycles, possibly bits of RAM resources as well, and we need all we can get when making music by streaming to and from disk drives.
--Mac
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
With my current xp, Pentium 4 computer and the mcafee firewall, I stop traffic maybe 8-10 times a day.
I only unlock the firewall to go on the internet as needed. Otherwise I have it locked down.
This setup has never given me a problem with recording in BIAB or Sonar. When It's locked down I've never been interrupted once by the firewall announcing that a program tried to connect to the internet, etc. It's worked quite well.
My new windows 7, i7 computer is coming to me with Microsoft Security Essentials installed. I've read that many of you are happy with it.
I was just hoping there might be an easy way to duplicate the ability I have now to stop all traffic with one click.
Mac:
I definitely can see the benefits to your suggestion. It's just that the unlock/lockdown is something I do many times a day. I might look at your suggestion for situations where I will be doing nothing but recording for a long time.
I was hoping there might be a quick solution that is compatible with microsoft security essentials. What would be the best way to do that?
Thanks.
John
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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