Open ports, how to close them?

[Guest]

I did a security check and it told me I had open ports. that were open to
hackers and one to Trojan Horse. how do I close these?

 

[Brian A.]

What firewall are you using?

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[N. Miller]

I did a security check and it told me I had open ports. that were open to
hackers and one to Trojan Horse. how do I close these?

Describe the nature of your Internet connection. I have three computers
with open ports; but only one has ports open to the Internet because I
am connecting through a NAT router.

 

[Guest]

I'm just using WindowsXP all stardard. We are using Cable internet service. I
don''t know much about it. Are they nessasary to be open? if so why is my
security telling me they are needing to be closed when previous checks said
nothing?

 

[Rishi]

Hello,

Open ports can be closed by using a firewall... a 3rd party firewall
specifically. Windows XP service pack 2 does come with a firewall however it
doesn't exactly protect you from all the threats that are constantly
evolving. You computer probably allowed the packets to be sent through the
ports that's why the checker that you used is telling you that you are not
safe.

Ports are necessary for the computer to transfer data through the internet.
However they can also transfer and receive viruses and trojans aswell.
That's why firewalls are needed, so that they can only allow the real
applications (it asks you whether you want to allow each application or not)
to access the internet. I'm sure you know this stuff... basically what I'm
trying to say is, you might want to get a firewall. There are many out
there, but if you want a free one you might want to take a look at Zone
Alarm or Kerio Personal Firewall.

Then you might want to enable stealth mode in them (which blocks ports, so
only applications that you've approved can use them). It differs for each
application so you need to refer to the help file. This way you can make
your computer more secure, and hopefully protect yourself from hackers,
viruses and trojans etc.