Would the computer be in security risk in standby mode?

If the computer is connected to the Internet but in standby mode, can there be data security risks (can someone see or get your files or other information from your computer)?

 

Have the computer ask for a password on wakeup, and make sure the computer can't be woken up by LAN

 

So, as long as it is in standby, no data transmission can happen, even if connected? (sorry for being so ignorant )

 

Standby is very secure. The only real way to wake it up is to use WakeOnLan. And routers, by default, do not forward that packet to its internal network.

So the data risk is about as high as turning your computer off (zero).

 

My laptop sometimes does wake up on its own (on AC, not battery). I don't know why. Anyway, from the comments posted here, in truly standby mode there is no risk; the risk is when it is no longer in standby. Thanks (before your answers, I wasn't sure if true standby has risk or not ).

 

You can check control panel to see what is waking your computer up on AC.

 

I wouldn't say zero, but close to it.

WOL isn't that secure in reality, being that it uses security through obscurity.
It's only secure because they need to have your Mac address, know how to trigger it, and hope that wake on Lan is activated. Once woken up, they still need to deal with any other protection you have installed.

 

How to use control panel to find out that?

 

Go under performance information and tools, then advanced tools.

Look for warnings. Then you can use Event Viewer to find out what wakes your computer.

 

And in the end, your data is still protected.

 

Precisely!

 

Where is "warnings"? I have XP pro.

 

If you have XP Pro, then you'll just have to use the event viewer. You don't get a nice consolidated screen full of diagnostic tools.

 

Oh I see, no wonder. Appreciated!