Q&A: Open port – should I be worried about doing this???
Question by Matt M: Open port - should I be worried about doing this???
Ok, here's the deal - my college blocks all but web and pop3 ports (supposedly all but 80 and 110 are blocked) and my ISP at home blocks ports 25, 80, and 110 because running a server violates the TOS.
I'm thinking port 443 (HTTPS) will probably be open at the college (HTTPS sites work, I assume it's open) and I know it's not blocked at home. I have software firewall on my main computer and XP firewall on the other computer that's not usually running.
Is it asking for trouble if I leave that port open on my home router - forwarded to either a printer-server or (future) slingbox?
Thanks in advance!
The college blocks all OUTBOUND ports except those to prevent file-sharing, spam, and such on their network.
Best answer:
Answer by Jesse T
No, odn't worry about it, you will be fine
Add your own answer in the comments!
January 23rd, 2012 - 05:59
Opening port is all right. But some connections can come to our computer which may be harmful.
January 23rd, 2012 - 06:43
depending on the inbound traffic, ur fine
January 23rd, 2012 - 06:50
The device to which you port forward determines the risk.
Let’s say you port forward to a printer. The hacker gets to see that you own a printer, brand x, model y, etc. No issue there at all.
Let’s say you port forward to a network attached storage device that has no user name and password. Now the hacker gets to see all info stored on the storage device, and can get valuable information. This is a major issue.
Therefore, the level of concern is governed more by what is at the end of the port forward than the port opening itself.