I have CS6 but there's a way to disconnect the program so it doesn't communicate with the internet

I'll be so sad when my ancient Windows 7 Dell bites the dust and I lose my janky-but-functional copy of CS4. But I mostly use CSP now and it's been really great on my Suface Pro.

The issue is more with setting it up after a PC or Mac refresh after a system crash, basically in an out-of-box state. CS6 (I believe) requires online activation during the setup wizard. When those servers go down, there may be no way for the setup to continue since it can't contact the server.