"Act as a server"

[Guest]

Can someone please explain to me what it means when my firewall says "Do you
want (application) to act as a server?"

I never know whether to say yes or no.. both in terms of security risk, and
also of adverse effect on the performance of my machine...


Thanks

 

[Dave]

firewalls ask that when a program wants to open a port for listening. this
means that it opens the port so the program can accept incoming connections
from client machines. it depends on the program it is asking about weather
you want it to allow it or not.

 

[GTS]

Like Dave said, but note - If on doubt it is always best to DENY server
rights. Most programs don't need them and there are security concerns in
granting server rights unnecessarily.