Electronics

[RinaRina]

Do you think it's safe to leave a computer on 24/7?  Or is it subject to "attacks" when not in use (especially between midnite-5 AM).

Just wondering ....

[Nightowlz]

We leave ours on all day. I log off later in the evening.

[ChynnaBlue]

Computer attacks can happen at any time and are more likely to happen because of something you do than because you leave it on overnight. It's not like hackers need the cover of darkness to hide their actions.

That said, it's not good to leave a computer on all the time every single day because it can cause a computer to run more slowly. Rebooting automatically cleans up some things on the system (flushing the DNS, deleting temp files, etc), so you should do it at least a few times a week.

I use Sleep mode if I'm going to be coming back in a few hours. For me, I sometimes have meetings late at night and I need my computer for those. Sometimes I'll put my computer in Sleep mode when I leave the office, pack it up, drive home, and then I don't have to reboot when my meeting starts at 9:00pm. I might do the same if I work from home on a Friday, I'll restart the computer Monday at home morning, then put it in sleep mode, pack it up and drive to the office. That way it's ready to go as soon as I get to the office. Otherwise I turn it off when it's not in use or restart before I leave the office so it's booted up when I come in the next day, but everything has been restarted.

[Nuttmeg]

I leave my desktop computer running 24/7, not my laptop. It goes into sleep mode.  http://allthingsd.com/20130702/shut-down-or-sleep/

[adoreqvc]

Below is a prime example why no one should leave their imac, mac, or any type of pc in sleep mode...

We have WIndows desktops, notebooks, and Apple mac desk tops and notebooks, and we always choose to shut them down, when we finish using them. 

We know there are numerous debates as far as Windows electronics and shutting them down, or leaving them in sleep mode, and we all know what hibernation is regarding all electronic devices.

That being said why take unnecessary chances with your electronics and other issues, which may become unresolvable.

Below is a great link as to why one should not leave their Apple devices on sleep mode..."subjects computer electronics to internet attacks and many unresolvable issues, leaving your Apple products permanently defective and unusable".

http://www.idigitaltimes.com/new-mac-sleep-mode-vulnerability-allows-backdoor-bios-attacks-says-secu...

[circles]

I never shut my laptop off...it does go to sleep though...

[feline groovy]

I'm on my laptop just about 24/7 everyday LOL, so I put it into "hibernate" mode when I'm not using it.

Whatever I was doing is saved, so when I get back on it's all right there.

[January121]

I keep my iPad on all day but, I shut it down right before I go to bed.

[glb613]

I shut down my desktop and laptop computer after I'm done for the day.  If a storm is predicted or ongoing, I unplug them from electricity and cable internet (desktop). 

I've always shutdown my computers starting in 1995 when the "experts" told everyone it was bad for the components.  I've owned at least 10 computers and I've only had one hardware failure (a hard drive).  The time it takes for a computer to boot is minimal for me.  If you don't shutdown on a regular basis, restart a couple of times a week. 

[apple1964]

I shut mine done when I am finished with my work at home. I never leave my computers on sleep mode unless I take a break for lunch if the work day at home is more then 6 hours or more. I always unplug my computers if not in use.