Are there any non-NSA reasons why a computer would come on in the middle of the night? Our computer has done that, and when I tried to explain it to my computer geek Dear Hubby, he was not too concerned. But I can’t remember what he said about it.
If you have automatic updates turned on the PC will wake up to download the updates. Other installed software, such as anti-virus, may also be updating.
Sure. I don’t know about Windows, but Macs have an “Energy Saver” control panel that you can set to startup every day at 7:00 AM or Thursdays at noon or whatever.
You can have the computer wake up and defragment the hard drive, virus scans, lots of maintenance items at a scheduled time.
If a computer that has automatic restart in case of power failure enabled(usually found in BIOS) ,loses power for a second ,it will then start up by itself on return of power. There are a lot more interruptions of electric power than most people notice;most are very brief.
Secondly,when setting up network connections there is an option ,usually already checked,that referrs to “have computer wake up froim network access” or a similar phrase.If that isn’t “unchecked” by the computer owner or someone with administrator privileges then a network request can start up the computer.
Using one’s computer for routine tasks logged in with account having full administrator privileges rather than a user account with limited privileges leaves the computer more vulnerable to hacking.Admittedly a limited account can be aggravating IF you do a lot of downloading and software installtion,which most users don’t.
Leaving one’s computer on and logged in to the company or other sites full-time may be convenient or necessary but not really needed for most people.
People SHOULD be aware that cameras and microphones built in or connected to the computer and software controlled can be remotely hacked and turned on allowing remote operators to see and hear what is near the computer !!!(This has been demonstrated in the case of the Pennsylvania school that spied on teenagers in their homes.that those who approved and did the spying haven’t been tried,convicted, and hanged for their crimes shows how Americans no longer value freedom._
Unplugging the network cable prevents outside hackers unless you have wifi or wireless turned on.IF you have the wireless also disabled then hackers are shut out.
You can/could/should? have a opaque cover to block computer cameras and someting to block the microphone as well IF you are concerned.
Connecting physical cables and disabling/enabling wireless only when you are actually using remote networks is one security measure;like having locks on your doors ,it may be less convenient for you but stops others.
The wireless computerized conveniences we enjoy CAN be mis-used to spy on us.
1984 ? The technology is here,the politics is coming .
I set mine for a virus scan every fifth day at 2:00AM. It will come on, scan and turn itself back off. I read the scan record next day.