Should you block all your k'd software's hosts sites?

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by jdigsdeluxe, Nov 28, 2021.

  1. jdigsdeluxe

    jdigsdeluxe Newbie

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

    odiza Producer

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    Wouldn't it be much easier to disconnect your DAW system from the internet?
     
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  4. No Avenger

    No Avenger Moderator Staff Member

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

    Slapdash Kapellmeister

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    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.
     
  6. odiza

    odiza Producer

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    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
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  7. Obineg

    Obineg Platinum Record

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

    Ed Jachimowicz Producer

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    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.
     
  9. xorome

    xorome Audiosexual

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    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.
     
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  10. dia manu

    dia manu Producer

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    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
     
  11. Backtired

    Backtired Audiosexual

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    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
     
  12. pratyahara

    pratyahara Rock Star

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

    mr.personality Producer

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    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.
     
  14. marveljam

    marveljam Ultrasonic

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    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
     
  15. rondubb

    rondubb Noisemaker

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

    Sylenth.Will.Fall Audiosexual

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    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.
     
  17. alidonkaka6

    alidonkaka6 Noisemaker

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    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
  18. Pepe2020

    Pepe2020 Member

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  19. ArticStorm

    ArticStorm Moderator Staff Member

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    Only the ones, which call home or open links - unless you click on them on your behalf (about window).

    Example is Toneboosters, which calls home for serial checking.
     
  20. waverider

    waverider Rock Star

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    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).
     
  21. Sylenth.Will.Fall

    Sylenth.Will.Fall Audiosexual

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    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.
     
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