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Question from Kevin: I have 3 computers that I’m planning to place in my bedroom and my two sons’ rooms. We’re going to use these computers for just one thing, and that’s for playing games over a private LAN.
After doing some research I went to Best Buy and bought a 5 port switch and three 50ft Ethernet cables to run up into the attic and then down into each of the rooms.
These computers will NOT be connected to a modem, only to each other through the switch. We won’t need (and I don’t want) to have these computers connected to the Internet.
Now, my question – Since there will be no Internet access we won’t be able to update our virus software. Will that be a big problem or do your recommend going wireless and connecting the machines through our router so they’ll have Internet access?
I didn’t think of the virus issue until I had already bought the switch and cables, but I can return them if I need to. Thanks in advance for your help.
Rick’s answer: Kevin, your computers will be just fine without access to the Internet. In fact, they’ll be fine without antivirus software running at all since they won’t be connected to the Internet and all the threats that reside on it.
Of course the above is assuming that the PC’s are virus-free in the first place and the games you plan to install on them are as well.
If the three bedrooms are close together, I’d recommend returning the switch and cables and buying a good wireless gaming router instead. You can buy one of these devices locally (at Best Buy, for example) or order one from Amazon (personally, I really like this one).
You can set up a 3 station wireless network and it’ll run just fine without a modem connected to it. That way you won’t have to drill any holes in your ceilings or run any cables. Just make sure you put a strong access code (i.e. password) on the WiFi network to keep hackers and piggy-backers off of it and you’ll be good to go.
Bottom line: Computers that aren’t connected to the Internet are at a very low risk of catching a virus unless you connect an infected USB drive to it or install an infected program on it.
Update from Kevin: I guess you could call this a “Duh” moment, Rick. I should have realized that.
I have already ordered the router you linked to and I’ll be returning the switch and cables this weekend. Thanks again for your help.