I allowed perl access past my firewall (Am I even saying that right?). Should I be worried? And how do I learn more about the subject so I'm not so clueless in the future? [more inside]
posted by dicetumbler on Jan 11, 2009 - 8 answers

Simply put, I would like to determine which (outgoing) ports are open and which are closed on my company's network. They have a firewall blocking most ports...so far I can only get through port 80 and port 443. I know for example, ports 23, 25, 110 and 6667 are blocked. So I may be over-thinking this, but what I think I need to do is find a way to listen on all ports (or at least a select list) on an external computer, then scan that computer's IP from inside the network to see what connects... The catch: I would like to open these ports for connections without having to install servers that actually use those ports. If we're talking a couple hundred ports, I don't want to install and configure a couple hundred server apps. (or all 65535?) Does anyone know of an app that will open 'fake' ports on a system and respond with some sort of generic server type? I know I've seen such an app before, but I just don't remember what it was called, and my google skillz are not coming through this time. Side note: I originally thought what I was looking for was a "leak tester" ...but this isn't quite right, as it is testing incoming ports, not outgoing ports. Thanks,
posted by AltReality on Apr 10, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm setting up my spankin' new computer. So far I've downloaded AVG as my anti-virus solution, but I'm not sure which way to go for anti-spyware. [more inside]
posted by ®@ on Feb 23, 2008 - 17 answers

I noticed this morning in my system logs that I had some failed FTP and SSH login attempts from an IP in China. I thought I was going to have get all Cliff Stoll on this guy, but then looking back further I saw that this has been happening for months, from lots of different IP addresses. [more inside]
posted by jeffxl on Dec 5, 2007 - 9 answers

Where can I find detailed information on anti-virus software comparisons? I've heard of and seen some charts that display details such as catch rates and etc but have never known the exact source. Something like this perhaps: http://virus.untangle.com/ but a more broad spectrum, preferablly one that includes AVG and Avast! Also what is the best firewall for Windows Vista?
posted by meta.mark on Nov 11, 2007 - 6 answers

What's a good, free firewall I can use on my home PC (running WindowsXP SP2) that isn't Zone Alarm Pro, Sygate or Kerio? [more inside]
posted by Effigy2000 on Apr 25, 2007 - 24 answers

I need advice for buying a new internet security suite (or individual programs). [more inside]
posted by Joleta on Dec 17, 2006 - 14 answers

I have recently started a new job in charge of IT in a small lab <10 people. A while back the lab was badly hacked into and data etc. was lost (there is evidence this was an inside job btw). As part of my remit I am in charge of making sure this doesn't happen again. The company has a site license for anti-virus software so that is not an issue however we currently have no anti-spyware, personal firewall or rootkit / trojan detector etc. What I'm looking for is one or more products which I can install on the user's workstations which are effective in these areas. The most important point apart from actually working of course is that I can centrally administer the software and monitor what is going on - edit firewall rules etc. So what products would you recommend that might satisfy these requirements. Oh yeah all users including myself are running Windows XP so cross platform is not a problem.
posted by empedia on Sep 28, 2006 - 6 answers

On my XP system, the recently installed Norton anti-worm app told me that my Netgear RP614v2 NAT-enabled router attempted to udp connect to my port number 2061 from its port 12024. However, there is no port fowarding or triggering enabled, nor is there a DMZ address configured at all. [more inside]
posted by Ethereal Bligh on May 20, 2006 - 8 answers

Is Zone Alarm the last free firewall software? [more inside]
posted by jaronson on Feb 12, 2006 - 24 answers

Is there a way to connect to gmail using pop from behind a firewall that blocks the ports they specify? Ideally over 80? I don't have broadband at home so setting up a tunnel or variation to a pc on the outside isn't an option. Thunderbird on WinXP connected behind a typical corporate firewall.
posted by Mitheral on Jan 23, 2006 - 1 answer

How secure is Smoothwall Express? Could it be trusted to protect the home network of two psychologists and their work? [more inside]
posted by Ritchie on Nov 16, 2005 - 7 answers

Wireless Network Security: I'd like to know more about keeping my info safe on OS X. [MI] [more inside]
posted by fionab on Oct 25, 2004 - 6 answers

I need some help with a Netscreen FR114P Firewall. The problem I'm having is that I can't get it to work with fixed IP's. More inside... [more inside]
posted by trbrts on May 7, 2004 - 0 answers

Every day for the last three weeks or so Sygate Personal Firewall Pro has blocked twenty or more port scans. In the past I would be scanned maybe once or twice a week. What has changed? I change my IP address from time to time and I know my box is secure and isn't worth hacking anyway. What gives? I'm getting tired of the blinking icon.
posted by Grod on Apr 3, 2004 - 17 answers

How 'secure' is AIM? My brother is behind a firewall and uses a proxy to connect to AIM at his university. Assuming there were people who wanted to, how easy would it be for someone within the university to read his ramblings?
posted by attackthetaxi on Mar 15, 2004 - 18 answers