Re: Linksys firewall question

From: Leythos (void_at_nowhere.org)
Date: 10/12/04 

Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 18:09:37 GMT

In article <7rSad.3091$UR6.1154@trndny07>, vrstern@earthlink.net says...
> I have a Linksys wired router on our home network. My son's computer is
> running WinXP SP1 with the built-in firewall disabled. I know the router
> has a firewall built into it. I am planning to open a port so that my son
> can play one of his games over the internet with his friends. What I don't
> know is how that may affect us security-wise. Should I close the port
> between games? Should I put a software firewall on his computer? If so,
> how should I set it up for his gaming?

There are very few games that require the opening of ports in your
ROUTER (which is NOT a firewall). For instance, Counter-Strike, or any
of the "Steam" games, don't require you to open ports to play on the
servers located on the internet.

If you son wants to HOST (his computer acts as the server) then you will
need to open ports to that ANYONE on the internet can reach his computer
through the ports.

Now, the router does not have a firewall, it only routes packets from
the internet to the internal device (IP) that you setup forwarding rules
for. Keep in mind that ANYONE/ANYTHING on the internet can access the
computer that you forward ports too, but only on those ports.

How about you tell us what Game, what ports, and we'll tell you if he's
pulling a fast one on you.

One other thing, there is very little reason for your son to setup his
PC as a game server (where he hosts the game). Most of the games have
public servers that anyone can play on. 

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