Is there a need for anti-virus software?

[olbrowneyez]

I am an aspiring kj about to purchase the new rack mounted computer. Is it ok to run anti-virus software through the operating system (XP) while running Hoster to protect my computer and karaoke data against viruses from infected discs?

[Beavis]

i've never seen a infected disc that i've purchased.

Unless your sharing libraries.

[olbrowneyez]

Hello Beavis,

Thanks for your reply. I am glad to hear that you have not had any problems. I am concerned however, that I might just get an infected disc from a singer unknowingly or knowingly for that matter.

My main concern is about the hoster software. Can it run along with an anti-virus software program running in the background?

[bigdaddylddd]

Or in my instance:

The two clubs I play at have wireless internet. I plan on using Hoster for my karaoke, and run iTunes (connecting to the internet to purchase songs for DJ'ing and requests). If a customer requests a song I could download it in minutes and play it and add it to my DJ library.

I would like to have Firewall, Virus protection, & Adware/Spyware protection on my Hoster/DJ machine. Will this extra 'baggage' bog Hoster down?

I would not feel safe having an unprotected PC connected to the Internet these days.

As far as a customer giving you a 'homemade' disc, who knows what could be on it? Could be an easy way to sabatoge someones show.

[George]

I doubt there would be any problem other than to make sure to turn off any firewalls and/or spam blockers when attempting to download or register the program, download updates, download updated databases, etc.

I've not noticed any problems running virus protection along with a firewall and the new MS spyware running in the background.

George

Here's what I'm running, nothing elaborate, and it's not slowed down when testing.

XPHOME UPGRADE FROM 98SE SP1,SP2
DIRECTX 9.0 (4.09.0000.0901)
INTEL P4@1600MHZ, 512MB RAM
GIGABYTE TITAN GA81DX
MAXTOR 40GB, SEAGATE 80GB CLONE
ATI BUILT RADEON 7500
CREATIVE SOUNDBLASTER PC1128
PLEXTOR 712A AND SONY 710DL

[olbrowneyez]

Thanks George,

I feel that I must at least attempt to run anti-virus, firewall as well anti-spyware while running hoster. I will test it home of course before I do a show. You made me think of another situation a must deal with. That is that fact that I must buy a wireless nic card so that I can network with my home computer to access the internet via my DSL router/modem. That means I "must" load the service info in the hoster/kj computer. Wow! I will hope for the best! I just took the plunge and ordered the rack mounted computer from MTU about an hour ago. Wish me luck!

Take care!

Paul

P.S. It appears that you have been doing this for a while. I would appreciate any advice you would be kind enough to offer.

[George]

Originally Posted by olbrowneyez

Thanks George,
P.S. It appears that you have been doing this for a while.

Yes and no. I have been using MTU products for about four years, and have been Beta testing Hoster from day one, and anything I offered was from that standpoint.

I belong to a private Karaoke club that meets several times a year going into the eighth year now, generally with me hosting at my house. I hope I didn't give the impression I was a seasoned KJ. That wasn't my intent.

There are many, many people on these forums who are in the trenches, and are much better equipped than I to counsel you in those matters.

I think I do have some degree of expertise in the MTU product line, and will be glad to help wherever I can along those lines.

Take care,

George

[gduns - with the Lord]

I am running Norton firewall, antivirus, and spamblocker, and have noticed no problems.

Like george said, make sure auto updates on the firewall, windows, and everything is turned off. otherwise it will try to update things during a show, and could potentially cause problems and audio drops.

[MTUSUPPORT]

I also run Antivirus, 3 Spyware Programs and Norton System Works 2005 Premier, and it works great with it all running.