QUestion on ports!

[The_Saint]

Heya Guys!!

I have some question about securing my PC:

I`m behind a router, WGR614. I did a port scan using some tools and its says that I have open some ports like Free Internet Chess server. This is a normal entry since I've researched a bit a out it, but how do I close this port anyway??? I don't even like chess!!

Bah!

Secondly, should I use a firewall with the router or not? Should I enable the WindowsXP firewal...? Now its disabled....

How should I know if someone is trying to access my PC from the net...? Do I have to go on the LOG file of the router and look there....? Is there another way to do that?

Thanks bunch!!


EDIT: also.....are there any good and reliable online port scanner?

what port is the chess server running on?

if you want a really good port scanner use nmap or LANguard Network Security Scanner its free for 30 days

[John Prophet]

www.grc.com

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

this one is called "shields up"...there are others also.

This one also has descriptions of the variou sports etc

[The_Saint]

Fics is running on port 5000.


and tanks for the links and suggestions.

What about this FICS.........?

EDIT:

it seems that all my ports are stealthed beside one which appears close. But its says that it is common and shouldn't get worried

Still this port 5000 I don`t like it.

[DVNT1]

With what you mentioned, you should be able to close all ports.

To find out what is opening the port, use http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/tcpview.shtml

[PresterJohn]

>Fics is running on port 5000.

i doubt a chess program is running on your machine if you didn't install it.

port 5000 was used by some old remote trojans. MS also uses this port for xp's universal pnp service. you should look into closing it...

[The_Saint]

I`ll do that then! I`m worrying now!!

EDIT: By running SPYBOT and ADWARE and AVG Antivir...it doesn`t find any trojans or probelms though............

[PresterJohn]

are you running xp on that machine?...if so, you probably don't have much to worry about except to look into closing the port & disabling the service.

[The_Saint]

yes I`m in XP. and Thank John for helping me out.

I also wanted to tell you that ShieldUP does not detect any open ports on my machine...not een the 5000 BUT another program to scan open ports that I have on my laptop does detect 5000 and 1025 and other as ACTIVE SERVICES.

[PresterJohn]

the upnp is easy enough to disable..in fact if my memeory is correct, the shieldsup site even has a little tool you can download which will do it.