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Question:
How much should I be concerned about the possibility of lightning
damage to my computer?
Answer: Since most of our customers live in rural areas,
the probability of lightning damage to a modem is fairly high. It
usually isn't a direct lightning strike that causes problems, however,
but power surges and the general conditions in the area during a
lightning storm. Computer equipment is very sensitive to these occurrences,
and modems are especially vulnerable.
Protection against lightning is certainly much less expensive than
repair or replacement of damaged equipment. Even when the initial
damage is corrected, residual damage caused by lightning may not
be immediately apparent and can show up months down the road.
-- The best protection for a computer and modem is to unplug the
phone line from the modem or from the wall, and unplug all power
cords at the wall leading to the computer and other electronic devices
(printers, cable modems, scanners, etc).
-- If
you don't unplug everything, the next best protection for your modem
is to unplug the phone line to the modem.
-- Don't use your computer during thunderstorms.
-- REMEMBER: Many people will turn off their computers during a
thunderstorm, thinking this will save their PC from damage. Surge
protectors are generally not adequate protection against power surges
and lightning damage.
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