Setting up a home firewall 1

[biglebowski]

I have an adsl modem connected via ethernet to a wireless & 4 port router. The router has a firewall built in. On my network I have 1 pc that is hard wired to the router and a laptop that is connected via a wireless card. Is there a doc anywhere that tells me what ports I need to block incoming to protect my network at home?

Thanks.

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

[lgarner]

Home broadband routers typically block everything initiated from the outside, unless exceptions are made for internal servers. You'd have to set up port forwarding to an internal address in order for the router to even know where to send a packet.

 

[biglebowski]

The router in default is set to allow all in and outgoing

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

[vop]

It is a good idea to test and adjust, as appropriate, your firewall setup (from an incoming external viewpoint). You are much less likely to get hacked if you don’t have open vulnerable ports - Hackers look for selective open ports to target their prospective victims, thereby allowing them an opportunity to attempt their dirty work.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/5503

(Note: The Ken Kalish link is no longer valid.)

You don't want any (outgoing) reporting of opened or closed ports since this provides useful feedback to any probing attempts. Ideally, you want 'stealth' status for (most, if not all) your ports.

You should also monitor and assess ports from an internal (outgoing) point of view. Netstat and 'netstat -an' (at the command line) or freeware 'Advanced Port Scanner' from

http://www.radmin.com

are good places to start. Why are certain ports listening, waiting, established - should they be? You can best control outgoing traffic with a software firewall.

Vince

 

[biglebowski]

Thanks vop hackerwatch is a great site. All ports on my pc's are secure. I checked the router settings and it is the block/allow sites that is set to allow by default so the firewall must be doing it's job

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?