open ports in XP

[woodcarver]

Hi all:
This will probably sound kind of "duh" but:
How does one go about closing the open ports in Windows XP;
I am working on a small buisness computer {1} that has been overrun with "junk"-to be nice- so I got a port sniffer demo to see what's open.
This machine has OfficeXP so there will be LOTS of open ports, need to close all but the needed ones.
The owner is convinced that the ports are the problem, so she wants me to close them--Yes Mam!

 

[netmanrick]

Why not use the XP firewall ?

Rick Harris
SC Dept of Motor Vehicles
Network Operations

 

[woodcarver]

I have Windows firewall enabled and she has installed Norton Internet Securities{tightened up so thght it
"squeeks"}.
I tried to explain to her that both enabled will just slow down the PC because Norton runs as a service and can conflict with the firewall.
But some people insist on "maximum security", but there is a limit--if you know what I mean

 

[netmanrick]

Sounds like a little knowledge is dangerous.Check the services that are running;probably can stop some of them.
Is internet access required ?

Rick Harris
SC Dept of Motor Vehicles
Network Operations

 

[lwalling]

XP Service Pack 2's firewall is pretty solid though it won't "talk back" in the manner Symantec's Internet Security product will.

Realistically speaking though, based on what you've described and my assumption that this is a paranoid home user - the XP SP2 firewall should do the job.

If they are a home user, I'd be more concerned with internal threats such as spyware, malware, and viruses! Most users overlook those threats entirely unless they are making themselves abundantly "visible" to the user through popups/etc.

 

[netmanrick]

If they are that paranoid,suggest a hardware f/w. See if they have deep pockets.

Rick Harris
SC Dept of Motor Vehicles
Network Operations