Clients frequently ask if they should leave their computer on all the time or turn it off when they are not using it.
Several years ago we would have said to turn their PC off to save power, but with the proliferation of viruses and threats over the last few years, the answer has changed.
Today, anti-virus and anti-spyware applications need regular updating. These updates are often scheduled to run late at night when the computer isn’t in use.
Windows needs to be updated often for security patches. This doesn’t happen daily, but it may happen several times a month, and usually at night.
In addition to the above, you should be backing up your data every day. The best time to do this is at night when you are not using the computer.
Bottom line: Leave your PC (but not your screen) on at night so it is updated properly. But, restart the computer several times a week to clear the memory.