Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

[Guest N. Miller]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> software?

 

I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

Windows 98SE box.

--

Norman

~Shine, bright morning light,

~now in the air the spring is coming.

~Sweet, blowing wind,

~singing down the hills and valleys.

[Guest Dan]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

It is dangerous to have any ports open. All ports should be closed or

ideally stealthed. I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

software that scans all your ports completely.

 

"N. Miller" wrote:

> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>

> > How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

> > devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> > still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

> > I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

> > finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> > ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> > software?

>

> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

> Windows 98SE box.

> --

> Norman

> ~Shine, bright morning light,

> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>

[Guest Leonard Grey]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

"It is dangerous to have any ports open."

 

Sorry, that's not correct.

---

Leonard Grey

Errare humanum est

 

Dan wrote:

> It is dangerous to have any ports open. All ports should be closed or

> ideally stealthed. I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

> of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

> will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

> software that scans all your ports completely.

>

> "N. Miller" wrote:

>

>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>>

>>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

>>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

>>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

>>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

>>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

>>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

>>> software?

>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

>> Windows 98SE box.

>> --

>> Norman

>> ~Shine, bright morning light,

>> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

>> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

>> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>>

[Guest Dan]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Okay, open ports for people and allow them to hack into your network, it is

all your choice.

 

"Leonard Grey" wrote:

> "It is dangerous to have any ports open."

>

> Sorry, that's not correct.

> ---

> Leonard Grey

> Errare humanum est

>

> Dan wrote:

> > It is dangerous to have any ports open. All ports should be closed or

> > ideally stealthed. I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

> > of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

> > will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

> > software that scans all your ports completely.

> >

> > "N. Miller" wrote:

> >

> >> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

> >>

> >>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

> >>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> >>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

> >>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

> >>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> >>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> >>> software?

> >> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

> >> Windows 98SE box.

> >> --

> >> Norman

> >> ~Shine, bright morning light,

> >> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

> >> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

> >> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

> >>

>

[Guest Leonard Grey]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

<smile> I think you should do a little more reading, my friend.

---

Leonard Grey

Errare humanum est

 

Dan wrote:

> Okay, open ports for people and allow them to hack into your network, it is

> all your choice.

>

> "Leonard Grey" wrote:

>

>> "It is dangerous to have any ports open."

>>

>> Sorry, that's not correct.

>> ---

>> Leonard Grey

>> Errare humanum est

>>

>> Dan wrote:

>>> It is dangerous to have any ports open. All ports should be closed or

>>> ideally stealthed. I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

>>> of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

>>> will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

>>> software that scans all your ports completely.

>>>

>>> "N. Miller" wrote:

>>>

>>>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>>>>

>>>>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

>>>>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

>>>>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

>>>>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

>>>>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

>>>>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

>>>>> software?

>>>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

>>>> Windows 98SE box.

>>>> --

>>>> Norman

>>>> ~Shine, bright morning light,

>>>> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

>>>> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

>>>> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>>>>

[Guest N. Miller]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:30:18 -0700, Dan wrote:

> "N. Miller" wrote:

>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

>>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

>>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

>>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

>>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

>>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

>>> software?

>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

>> Windows 98SE box.

> It is dangerous to have any ports open.

 

I like living dangerously...

 

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

|

| GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2008-08-12 at 05:18:06

|

| Results from scan of ports: 0-1055

|

| 2 Ports Open

| 0 Ports Closed

| 1054 Ports Stealth

| ---------------------

| 1056 Ports Tested

|

| NO PORTS were found to be CLOSED.

|

| Ports found to be OPEN were: 25, 80

|

| Other than what is listed above, all ports are STEALTH.

|

| TruStealth: FAILED - NOT all tested ports were STEALTH,

| - NO unsolicited packets were received,

| - A PING REPLY (ICMP Echo) WAS RECEIVED.

|

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> All ports should be closed...

 

Damned hard to run servers with "closed", or "stealthed" ports.

> ...or ideally stealthed.

 

A "closed" port is no more vulnerable than a "stealthed" port.

> I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

> of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

> will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

> software that scans all your ports completely.

 

65,535 TCP ports, to be exact, and another 65,535 UDP ports.

 

Any number of utilities should be found in a Google search. Try "angry

scanner", and "nmap" as keywords. Be advised that scanning other systems

than your own, without the owner's permission, is probably a violation of

your ISP's TOS, and, in any case, very rude.

 

--

Norman

~Shine, bright morning light,

~now in the air the spring is coming.

~Sweet, blowing wind,

~singing down the hills and valleys.

[Guest Dan]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Ah, we are dealing in networking. My bad and apologies -- I thought we were

talking about individual computers -- you are all correct of course

 

"N. Miller" wrote:

> On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:30:18 -0700, Dan wrote:

>

> > "N. Miller" wrote:

>

> >> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>

> >>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

> >>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> >>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

> >>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

> >>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> >>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> >>> software?

>

> >> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

> >> Windows 98SE box.

>

> > It is dangerous to have any ports open.

>

> I like living dangerously...

>

> | ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> |

> | GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2008-08-12 at 05:18:06

> |

> | Results from scan of ports: 0-1055

> |

> | 2 Ports Open

> | 0 Ports Closed

> | 1054 Ports Stealth

> | ---------------------

> | 1056 Ports Tested

> |

> | NO PORTS were found to be CLOSED.

> |

> | Ports found to be OPEN were: 25, 80

> |

> | Other than what is listed above, all ports are STEALTH.

> |

> | TruStealth: FAILED - NOT all tested ports were STEALTH,

> | - NO unsolicited packets were received,

> | - A PING REPLY (ICMP Echo) WAS RECEIVED.

> |

> | ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> > All ports should be closed...

>

> Damned hard to run servers with "closed", or "stealthed" ports.

>

> > ...or ideally stealthed.

>

> A "closed" port is no more vulnerable than a "stealthed" port.

>

> > I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

> > of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

> > will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

> > software that scans all your ports completely.

>

> 65,535 TCP ports, to be exact, and another 65,535 UDP ports.

>

> Any number of utilities should be found in a Google search. Try "angry

> scanner", and "nmap" as keywords. Be advised that scanning other systems

> than your own, without the owner's permission, is probably a violation of

> your ISP's TOS, and, in any case, very rude.

>

> --

> Norman

> ~Shine, bright morning light,

> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>

[Guest DaffyD®]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

I missed Michael Jennings' post--been too busy to check the group and now

the post has been removed. I'll check out Kerio. There is such a

diversification of opinions on firewalls. There are people who swear by

Kaspersky, Trend Micro, Avast. It's so hard to know and choose which is the

best. Thanks for the advice.

--

{ : [|]=( DaffyD®

 

If I knew where I was I'd be there now.

 

 

 

"N. Miller" <anonymous@msnews.aosake.net> wrote in message

news:1nur6v3njizdw$.dlg@msnews.aosake.net...

> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>

> > How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that

is

> > devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> > still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer

OS if

> > I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I

just

> > finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> > ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> > software?

>

> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

> Windows 98SE box.

> --

> Norman

> ~Shine, bright morning light,

> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

[Guest DaffyD®]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

I just realized I listed the names of antivirus software, not firewalls.

It's been a long day...

 

"N. Miller" <anonymous@msnews.aosake.net> wrote in message

news:1nur6v3njizdw$.dlg@msnews.aosake.net...

> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>

> > How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that

is

> > devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> > still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer

OS if

> > I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I

just

> > finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> > ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> > software?

>

> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

> Windows 98SE box.

> --

> Norman

> ~Shine, bright morning light,

> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

[Guest N. Miller]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:46:35 -0700, Dan wrote:

> "N. Miller" wrote:

>> On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:30:18 -0700, Dan wrote:

>>> "N. Miller" wrote:

>>>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>>>>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

>>>>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

>>>>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

>>>>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

>>>>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

>>>>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

>>>>> software?

>>

>>>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

>>>> Windows 98SE box.

>>> It is dangerous to have any ports open.

>> I like living dangerously...

>>

>>| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>>|

>>| GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2008-08-12 at 05:18:06

>>|

>>| Results from scan of ports: 0-1055

>>|

>>| 2 Ports Open

>>| 0 Ports Closed

>>| 1054 Ports Stealth

>>| ---------------------

>>| 1056 Ports Tested

>>|

>>| NO PORTS were found to be CLOSED.

>>|

>>| Ports found to be OPEN were: 25, 80

>>|

>>| Other than what is listed above, all ports are STEALTH.

>>|

>>| TruStealth: FAILED - NOT all tested ports were STEALTH,

>>| - NO unsolicited packets were received,

>>| - A PING REPLY (ICMP Echo) WAS RECEIVED.

>>|

>>| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>>

>>> All ports should be closed...

>>

>> Damned hard to run servers with "closed", or "stealthed" ports.

>>

>>> ...or ideally stealthed.

>>

>> A "closed" port is no more vulnerable than a "stealthed" port.

>>

>>> I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

>>> of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

>>> will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

>>> software that scans all your ports completely.

>>

>> 65,535 TCP ports, to be exact, and another 65,535 UDP ports.

>>

>> Any number of utilities should be found in a Google search. Try "angry

>> scanner", and "nmap" as keywords. Be advised that scanning other systems

>> than your own, without the owner's permission, is probably a violation of

>> your ISP's TOS, and, in any case, very rude.

> Ah, we are dealing in networking. My bad and apologies -- I thought we were

> talking about individual computers -- you are all correct of course

 

I set up a computer for my cousin's daughter. It is not networked, but an

"individual" computer. I could open every single TCP and UDP port on that

computer safely.

 

On networked computers, to include Internet connected computers (the

Internet is the "Mother of all Networks"!), you only want to open those

ports as necessary for the services you want to run. If you don't want to

run any services, you don't need to open any ports; indeed, you should not

open any ports. However, you do need to open ports in order to run services.

In which case, as the operator of a service, it is incumbent upon you to

ensure that your server application is secure. Keep it patched, and current,

and you should not have any problems with malicious actors.

 

On smaller, private networks, it is entirely possible to open ports to that

private network which appear closed to the Internet. The issue of open ports

is complex, and not easily discussed in simplistic terms.

 

--

Norman

~Shine, bright morning light,

~now in the air the spring is coming.

~Sweet, blowing wind,

~singing down the hills and valleys.

[Guest Michael Jennings]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

It's over in 98, where "DaffyD®" started this thread - not much.

http://news://msnews.microsoft.com/O%23BsXE5%23IHA.2216@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl

contains a link to a link to the freeware Kerio that works well on Win98se.

 

"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message

news:uJh9xkn$IHA.5004@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>I missed Michael Jennings' post--been too busy to check the group and now

> the post has been removed. I'll check out Kerio. There is such a

> diversification of opinions on firewalls. There are people who swear by

> Kaspersky, Trend Micro, Avast. It's so hard to know and choose which is the

> best. Thanks for the advice.

>

> "N. Miller" <anonymous@msnews.aosake.net> wrote in message

> news:1nur6v3njizdw$.dlg@msnews.aosake.net...

>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>>

>> > How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that

> is

>> > devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

>> > still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer

> OS if

>> > I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I

> just

>> > finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

>> > ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

>> > software?

>>

>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

>> Windows 98SE box.

>> --

>> Norman

>> ~Shine, bright morning light,

>> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

>> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

>> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>

>

[Guest Michael Jennings]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

I meant to say that it's over in Internet Explorer where etc.

 

"Michael Jennings" <metarhyme@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:OTimRmCAJHA.5660@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> It's over in 98, where "DaffyD®" started this thread - not much.

> http://news://msnews.microsoft.com/O%23BsXE5%23IHA.2216@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl

> contains a link to a link to the freeware Kerio that works well on Win98se.

>

> "DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message

> news:uJh9xkn$IHA.5004@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>I missed Michael Jennings' post--been too busy to check the group and now

>> the post has been removed. I'll check out Kerio. There is such a

>> diversification of opinions on firewalls. There are people who swear by

>> Kaspersky, Trend Micro, Avast. It's so hard to know and choose which is the

>> best. Thanks for the advice.

>>

>> "N. Miller" <anonymous@msnews.aosake.net> wrote in message

>> news:1nur6v3njizdw$.dlg@msnews.aosake.net...

>>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>>>

>>> > How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that

>> is

>>> > devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

>>> > still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer

>> OS if

>>> > I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I

>> just

>>> > finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

>>> > ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

>>> > software?

>>>

>>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

>>> Windows 98SE box.

>>> --

>>> Norman

>>> ~Shine, bright morning light,

>>> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

>>> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

>>> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Dan]

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Re: Not sure if firewall is OT

 

Is there any way to test all the 65000+ service ports even via a paid test

for stealth, closed and open modes of operation?

 

I guess this microsoft web site would be a start for me ---

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832017

 

sigh, lots more work, I guess

 

"N. Miller" wrote:

> On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:46:35 -0700, Dan wrote:

>

> > "N. Miller" wrote:

>

> >> On Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:30:18 -0700, Dan wrote:

>

> >>> "N. Miller" wrote:

>

> >>>> On Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:51 -0700, DaffyD® wrote:

>

> >>>>> How safe is it to browse without a firewall? I know of a newsgroup that is

> >>>>> devoted to firewalls but I feel answers may be more impartial here. I'm

> >>>>> still running W98SE and IE6 SP1 and believe me, I'd upgrade to a newer OS if

> >>>>> I could. I was using ZoneAlarm but it's a resource hog for my system. I just

> >>>>> finished a scan of the first 1056 ports at GRC.com and there are 2 open

> >>>>> ports, four stealth, and the rest are closed. Should I use firewall

> >>>>> software?

> >>

> >>>> I will concur with Michael Jennings about Kerio Personal Firewall on a

> >>>> Windows 98SE box.

>

> >>> It is dangerous to have any ports open.

>

> >> I like living dangerously...

> >>

> >>| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> >>|

> >>| GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2008-08-12 at 05:18:06

> >>|

> >>| Results from scan of ports: 0-1055

> >>|

> >>| 2 Ports Open

> >>| 0 Ports Closed

> >>| 1054 Ports Stealth

> >>| ---------------------

> >>| 1056 Ports Tested

> >>|

> >>| NO PORTS were found to be CLOSED.

> >>|

> >>| Ports found to be OPEN were: 25, 80

> >>|

> >>| Other than what is listed above, all ports are STEALTH.

> >>|

> >>| TruStealth: FAILED - NOT all tested ports were STEALTH,

> >>| - NO unsolicited packets were received,

> >>| - A PING REPLY (ICMP Echo) WAS RECEIVED.

> >>|

> >>| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> >>

> >>> All ports should be closed...

> >>

> >> Damned hard to run servers with "closed", or "stealthed" ports.

> >>

> >>> ...or ideally stealthed.

> >>

> >> A "closed" port is no more vulnerable than a "stealthed" port.

> >>

> >>> I would like a utility to scan the complete port matrix

> >>> of Windows computers. I think there are over 65000 but I am not sure and

> >>> will let someone correct me and also let me know if there is any tool or

> >>> software that scans all your ports completely.

> >>

> >> 65,535 TCP ports, to be exact, and another 65,535 UDP ports.

> >>

> >> Any number of utilities should be found in a Google search. Try "angry

> >> scanner", and "nmap" as keywords. Be advised that scanning other systems

> >> than your own, without the owner's permission, is probably a violation of

> >> your ISP's TOS, and, in any case, very rude.

>

> > Ah, we are dealing in networking. My bad and apologies -- I thought we were

> > talking about individual computers -- you are all correct of course

>

> I set up a computer for my cousin's daughter. It is not networked, but an

> "individual" computer. I could open every single TCP and UDP port on that

> computer safely.

>

> On networked computers, to include Internet connected computers (the

> Internet is the "Mother of all Networks"!), you only want to open those

> ports as necessary for the services you want to run. If you don't want to

> run any services, you don't need to open any ports; indeed, you should not

> open any ports. However, you do need to open ports in order to run services.

> In which case, as the operator of a service, it is incumbent upon you to

> ensure that your server application is secure. Keep it patched, and current,

> and you should not have any problems with malicious actors.

>

> On smaller, private networks, it is entirely possible to open ports to that

> private network which appear closed to the Internet. The issue of open ports

> is complex, and not easily discussed in simplistic terms.

>

> --

> Norman

> ~Shine, bright morning light,

> ~now in the air the spring is coming.

> ~Sweet, blowing wind,

> ~singing down the hills and valleys.

>