Possible Safe Computing Suggestions for Musicians:

I. Poor: Using only Windows for everything on a single PC
a. Install AV software
b. Leave AV active for updates
c. Go shopping while the AV software scans for infections
d. Install AntiMalware softwares
e. Update AntiMalware softwares regularly
f. Watch a movie while the AntiMalware software scans for infections
g. Install Firewall and test
h. Install Windows Updates regularly
i. Turn off Firewall while doing Windows updates.
j. Disconnect from the internet when working on a DAW
k. Turn off AV software when working on a DAW
l. Turn off Firewall when working on a DAW
m. Remember to turn on AV Software before reconnecting to the internet
n. Remember to turn on Firewall before reconnecting to the internet
o. Reinstall Windows when an update fubars the system
p. Remember to only surf "safe" sites
q. Hope and pray the site your just surfed to or from was "safe"
r. Encrypt all personally sensitive files and financial records
s. Hope and pray the system is not infected during financial transactions

II. Better: Using only Windows on two PCs
1. Set up Windows PC 1 for DAW and applications
a. Do not install AV, AntiMalware, or Firewall Software
b. Do not do any Windows Updates
c. Do not allow this PC on the internet
2. Set up Windows PC 2 for the internet
a. Install AV software
b. Leave AV active for updates
c. Go shopping while the AV software scans for infections
d. Install AntiMalware softwares
e. Update AntiMalware softwares regularly
f. Watch a movie while the AntiMalware software scans for infections
g. IInstall Firewall and test
h. Install Windows Updates regularly
i. Turn off Firewall while doing Windows updates.
o. Reinstall Windows when an update fubars the system
p. Remember to only surf "safe" sites
q. Hope and pray the site your just surfed was "safe"
r. Encrypt all personally sensitive files and financial records
s. Hope and pray the system is not infected during financial transactions

III. Still Better: Using only Windows on three PCs
1. Set up Windows PC 1 for DAW and applications
a. Do not install AV, AntiMalware, or Firewall Software
b. Do not do any Windows Updates
c. Do not allow this PC on the internet
2. Set up Windows PC 2 for the internet surfing
a. Install AV software
b. Leave AV active for updates
c. Go shopping while the AV software scans for infections
d. Install AntiMalware softwares
e. Update AntiMalware softwares regularly
f. Watch a movie while the AntiMalware software scans for infections
g. Install Firewall and test
h. Install Windows Updates regularly
i. Turn off Firewall while doing Windows updates.
o. Reinstall Windows when an update fubars the system
p. Remember to only surf "safe" sites
q. Hope and pray the site your just surfed was "safe"
r. Remove all personally sensitive files and financial records
3. Set up Windows PC 3 for the internet financial transactions
a. Install AV software
b. Leave AV active for updates
c. Go shopping while the AV software scans for infections
d. Install AntiMalware softwares
e. Update AntiMalware softwares regularly
f. Watch a movie while the AntiMalware software scans for infections
g. Install Firewall
h. Install Windows Updates regularly
i. Turn off Firewall while doing Windows updates.
o. Reinstall Windows when an update fubars the system
s. Visit only the the sites for financial transactions
t. Disconnect internet when transactions are complete

IV. Even Better: Using Windows on one PC and Linux on two PCs
1. Set up Windows PC 1 for DAW and applications
a. Do not install AV, AntiMalware, or Firewall Software
b. Do not do any Windows Updates
c. Do not allow this PC on the internet
2. Set up Linux PC 2 for the internet surfing
a. Install AV software to scan files destined for the Windows PC
1. Avast for Linux (free)
2. Clam AV (free)
b. Update AV only before a scan
g. Install Firewall and test
p. Surf any site and have fun
3. Set up Linux PC 3 for the financial connections
g. Install Firewall and test
s. Visit only the the sites for financial transactions
t. Disconnect internet when transactions are complete

V. Even Better on a Budget: Using Windows on one PC and a Linux Live CD
1. Set up Windows PC 1 for DAW and applications
a. Do not install AV, AntiMalware, or Firewall Software
b. Do not do any Windows Updates
c. Do not allow WIndows on this PC on the internet
2. Use the Linux Live Cd for any contact with the internet
a. Any downloads for Windows must be routed through an internet AV scanner
b. Get a Yahoo account
c. Save the download to your PC
d. Attach the download to a Yahoo email and Yahoo scans it for you
e. Discard email and use the download if it is declared safe

Last edited by JBlatz; 03/03/10 06:21 PM.
JBlatz