SATA and eSATA are exactly the same. The only difference is the plug.

jwrl is right - 'crappy box' = old, out of date pc used for internet and word processing. I've got a windows 98 box that I use. It has ms office, final draft, and a reasonable broadband connection with firewall and virus protection. I probably wouldn't get any offers for it on ebay, but it does the job AND it keeps a) my editing machine isolated from virus attacks, and b) I'm not slowing the performance of said computer down by having firewalls and anti-virus progs running at the same time.

As for multitasking - you can't edit at the same time as you're emailing. Just do the e-mailing at a different pc.

If your avid is your principal income stream, then you're playing with fire.

bee gee:

If your avid is your principal income stream, then you're playing with fire.

And that says all that needs to be said, really.

I doubt sata vs e-sata makes the blindest bit of difference in terms of virus protection.

If you *absolutely* need to keep your system connected to the internet (I do... ) it is worth investing in a hardware NAT router with firewall which gives your system a local IP address and not accessible from the outside unless you open specific ports (i.e your system can make outbound connections but refuses inbound ones).  I've got a Netgear FR114P (about 80euros when I got it) and I'm very happy with it - not had a single virus in the three years I've had the device - but any wired NAT router with firewall will do the trick.  A firewall/NAT router does not protect you directly from viruses, but removes some ways for them to infiltrate your system and more secure than software firewalls and they don't use up system resources.
After that you use your common sense, don't open executable attachments from mails, surf on dodgy sites..   Using Firefox as a browser also helps as it is bereft of ActiveX and more secure.

These points make a much greater difference in security than the way you connect you HDD to your system.


hope this helps

I still don't have an answer?  This thread has been here for a couple of days.  It is most definitly an important question for any editor.  Therefore, if you have the wisdom/know the answer than everybody who comes to this web page (including me) would be gratefull.

Someone wrote "SATA and eSATA are exactly the same. The only difference is the plug."  I am completely aware of that. lol  I was asking how Windows or a computer recognizes an internal connection (which in this case is SATA) versus an external connection (which in this case Esata) and how that affects the vulnerability of the hard drive to a virus?

I appreciate the replies and I am definitely looking into some of them.  However, if anybody has an answer to the question at hand?  I do know that Windows or the computer sees an external versus internal connection differently since, my external hard drive turns off after a few minutes when it is connected internally but, it stays on when connected externally.  Therefore, is there a difference as to a vulnerability of a hard drive to a virus when connected internally versus externaly.

Please, I don't want any wild guesses.  I can do that on my own.  I have also, listened to the other replies on how to keep a hard drive safe but, I still would like to know the answer to my question? 

This thread has been here for a couple of days.  It is most definitly an important question for an Editor.  Therefore, if you have the wisdom/know the answer than everybody who comes to this web page (including me) would be gratefull.

If a virus is capable of attacking a drive, other tham the boot drive (C:), then ANY drive that is available is at risk.  The type of connector or whether the drive is physically inside or excternal, is irrelevant.  If you can see the drive in Windows, then the virus can see it too.

Does that answer the original question?

Someone wrote "SATA and eSATA are exactly the same. The only difference is the plug."  I am completely aware of that. lol  I was asking how Windows or a computer recognizes an internal connection (which in this case is SATA) versus an external connection (which in this case Esata) and how that affects the vulnerability of the hard drive to a virus?

Obviously not aware enough... They are exactly the same. As far as your computer is concerned, there is no difference. Like others have already said, even if they were seen differently by your computer it wouldn't make any difference to a virus, but nonetheless, SATA and eSATA are literally exactly the same thing. You computer doesn't know or care if your drive is physically located inside or outside your box, outside just means it has an extension lead on it, which your computer won't notice.