[alanwilm]

I have just upgraded to a router (BT Home Hub). When I install a new program, I am often recommended to switch off any antivirus program I have running. How should I cut off my internet access while the antivirus is off? Do I go through Network Connections and disable the LAN, or just remove the LAN cable from my computer, or is there some better way?

Alan

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You dont' need to. As long as you aren't actively downloading anything from the internet and you know your computer is clean, you don't need to disconnect from the router. Easiest solution is just close down Internet Explorer/Opera/Firefox and anything else that accesses the internet.

The whole "virus enters your computer on a mind of its own" ideaology has been blown out of all proportion on a scale akin to that of the Y2K bug. In an internet world when there are 240 million internet users in the European Union member states alone, you've got more chance of winning the lottery twice in two different EU member states than a virus coming down your internet connection which was unrequested by you. Most of them get in by something you click anyway, so if you aren't clicking anything nothing can come in (though I dare say this won't be the case in a few months time).

[Neil Jones]

You dont' need to. As long as you aren't actively downloading anything from the internet and you know your computer is clean, you don't need to disconnect from the router. Easiest solution is just close down Internet Explorer/Opera/Firefox and anything else that accesses the internet.

The whole "virus enters your computer on a mind of its own" ideaology has been blown out of all proportion on a scale akin to that of the Y2K bug. In an internet world when there are 240 million internet users in the European Union member states alone, you've got more chance of winning the lottery twice in two different EU member states than a virus coming down your internet connection which was unrequested by you. Most of them get in by something you click anyway, so if you aren't clicking anything nothing can come in (though I dare say this won't be the case in a few months time).