What do you all think? Are there any negatives to doing so?

 

Wouldn't it be much easier to disconnect your DAW system from the internet?

 

I refuse to block legit developers in my hosts file. But I'm blocking every tool/program (apps for the kids ) in the firewall rules. So far, no problems.

 

Oh yes... lots easier to just basically go off grid and have no internet for the sake of some cracked plug-ins (what about the rest of your system)?

As if EVERYONE has a separate DAW computer to the main one. WTF.

 

No need to be harsh.

Ever thought about the idea of having a seperate installation on the same machine just for music? Benefit would be you can also disable everything not needed there. Works fine here.

Additionally, just blocking developers websites is pure blind fishing as those who "call home" typically have dedicated adresses for those purposes, even more than one might be involved.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2021

you do not need a seperate computer to block a DAW from network.

 

I've got a laptop for online stuff. Stand-alone PC for music & design. Only once in a while connect the stand-alone for some legit updates after making sure all relevant processes are killed of some less legal stuff. Then disconnect for months.

 

You could always look into sandboxes / virtualization software to do your music production in.
Firewalling off your DAW isn't enough for what it's worth.
Waves for example runs an external 'curl.exe' to check its license's validity.
Some plugins use Windows' built-in network capabilities via Webview or rundll32, etc.

 

a vmware windows system image you can start from your local nas/server running a completely modified R2R pro tools ultimate complete would be the dream, with regular updates maintained by r2r themselves

 

I used to just unplug the ethernet cable, or remove wifi if thats the case. It's not like im browsing or watching porn while i make music :D

 

No whenever possible, because then you lose access to manufacturer's news, new products, changelogs, manuals, explanations, offers, etc.

 

All my software's legit, but a long time ago I was using little snitch on the mac when I was copping adobe stuff at the time. Still, even today, not knowing my way around my daws and such that well, I'm always looking up online how to do something whenever I'm using software, lol.

 

I think it would be more interesting to share firewall rules as the connections get discovered. It is even good to know what connections are being made on your behalf for any installed software anyway

 

I block everything. its such an easy thing to do and takes less than a minute to do in windows 10..

 

I use to believe so but they always found a way of getting through because of something I missed. Now I use a VERY easy to use free firewall called Tinywall 3. It works in conjunction with windows firewall and will fix 7 as well as 10.
It starts off by blocking everything. Then you go through the computer looking at what needs to be open, and that can be done by EXE or by process. There are other ways but I haven't bothered. Use that in conjunction with Shadow Defender and a basic anti virus and you are good to go!

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot there are several processes already setup for you to allow or deny merely by checking a box too. things like your network or windows updates etc.

 

Hello,

Furthermore, just banning developer websites is akin to "blind fishing," as individuals who "call home" often have specialized adresses for that reason, and there may be more than one. turkish citizenship

 

Last edited: Feb 6, 2022

Sylenth.Will.Fall I use the same program. Tinywall is great

 

People often say that you should use an offline computer for music production.

But - unless you're a seasoned veteran who knows how things are done, what are the odds you're just going to know exactly what to do and how to do it? I run into roadblocks all the time and then have to look up stuff frequently. It would be a major inconvenience for me to have to constantly switch over to a second computer to do it (and have one to begin with).

 

Have you tried using it with Shadow Defender as well? I cannot recommend that enough. Once your computer is working how you like, It need never go wrong again (Unless a bit of hardware blows up that is)

There is a way around that simply by getting a KVM Switch. That uses one monitor, one sound system, one keyboard and one mouse connected with two or more hard drives. With one double keypress of 'CTRL' (That's how I set it up on here) you alternate between computers.