Can someone hack into computer if left on at night?

Hey PT.

Do you keep your computers on at night when you sleep?

I usually allow my computer to go into hybernation/sleep.  Is this a bad practice and is it leaving my door open, even though computer screen is closed and computer is sleeping?

My wife seems to think I should be doing a complete shut down.  

Thank you

I think it's important to understand that being active or asleep or hibernating has nothing to do with whether your computer is at risk. If it's at risk, it's at risk.

Shutting it down at night doesn't negate that risk. And there is some evidence that powering off a system creates more wear and tear than just leaving it on (which is what I do).

If you have a router (wifi?) in you house, thus creating a home network, then you have safety from outside intruders, as long as it's set to not respond to pings, and is locked down (no way to get in). (I'm really simplifying this for this thread.)

It's possible to wake a system through the network. The system has to be set up to allow this (BIOS config option). Even fully powered off.

Unless you're compromised things by clicking on or opening malware in email, or gone to a bad website, it's unlikely you have a problem. So practice safe computing and be careful what you do. If you're unsure, hover over links (in your browser) to see where they really go. Or simple mark anything the least bit suspicious/unusual as spam and be done with it.

And remember that businesses and the government won't contact you via email/text message unless you first set that up with them. And people claiming to be your relatives would have no trouble sending you a photo on your phone. But I digress...

There's nothing wrong with leaving your computer on. I don't hibernate mine (causes problems, IMNSHO) and only occasionally reboot it (power, forced updates).

Good to know, we do have a home network.  However perhaps it's time to refresh the password as it has not changed in a good 10 years or so.  Thank you for the detailed explanation.  

If someone wants in bad enough, they are going to get in.   Gary is correct, there is more wear on a computer that is continuously turned on and off.  

Mine is always left on, I just close the screen.  Never any issues.  

Same here, the only thing I shut off, is my monitor so it doesn't have excessive wear.