Author Topic: Need some advice about Port Forwarding [need as much info as possible] (Read 2741 times)

DrBen · January 26, 2009, 10:59:30 PM

Ok, so I've been having this constant tug of war with my step father about forwarding ports. I've taken it into my own hands to getting the ports forwarded, but it looks like I've reached my limit. The only way I can possibly have it happen now is if I present him with some pros and cons of forwarding ports, along with the possible risks that follow.

I'm asking for no more than the truth and a non-biased brown townysis of the subject based on the Blockland user environment. If you all can help prove that this is a legitimate program/activity, then I may finally be able to start hosting... for good. :)

Thanks in advance to anyone who decides to help out. I really hope I'll get a good chunk of information that I can share with him.

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tails · January 27, 2009, 05:00:52 AM

There are no risks.

DrBen · January 27, 2009, 06:31:25 PM

Thanks Tails! I've overheard that it can possibly allow other people into your computer... is that true?

Falcondude · January 27, 2009, 06:32:15 PM

I really highly doubt forwarding a few ports will open up your computer. You could do worse clicking a link in MSN.

DrBen · January 28, 2009, 02:01:38 AM

thanks guys, need some more specifics. Just throw at me whatever you can.

BladeOfTheHorizon · January 28, 2009, 11:50:26 AM

You did the portforward.com thing, right? If you did, go to the Command Prompt, as you can see here.

Then, type in "ipconfig" without the quotients. When you type that in, you'll see this. Note that you have to type in the Default Gateway in your internet brower's URL bar.

You will get into a system, and bam. Then take the steps from portforward.com.
First, you have to find your your Internet's modem model, and then select the application you want to portforward on. Once you get there, there will be many instructions on how to portforward. If you have a 2Wire model, the system would look like this.

Now, follow the directions portforward.com gave you, and you're done.

General Nick · January 28, 2009, 01:09:16 PM

Don't worry, port forwarding does NOT open your computer up to viruses and attackers.
The name is just misleading and people think it'll get viruses all over your computer.

DrBen · January 28, 2009, 02:35:48 PM

To BladeOfTheHorizon: I already know how to forward ports, and I've actually hosted before... the problem is I can't seem to convince my step father that it's not dangerous for a computer. They do a lot of banking and stuff online and they're afraid forwarding ports will compromise their banking information.

I just need enough people who know what port forwarding is to shed some light on the truth behind it all, whether it's dangerous or not, and if it consumes a lot of bandwidth.

Also, while I'm at it... how do you get a server to stay active when no one is in it? I've seen those before, and I've never really understood how it works.

Falcondude · January 28, 2009, 02:38:50 PM

Quote from: DrBen on January 28, 2009, 02:35:48 PM

To BladeOfTheHorizon: I already know how to forward ports, and I've actually hosted before... the problem is I can't seem to convince my step father that it's not dangerous for a computer. They do a lot of banking and stuff online and they're afraid forwarding ports will compromise their banking information.

Also, while I'm at it... how do you get a server to stay active when no one is in it? I've seen those before, and I've never really understood how it works.

Opening ports for Blockland will not open ports for banking. No worries.

From your Blockland folder, you can open a dedicated server: the black box appears, and your server is up.

DrBen · January 28, 2009, 03:41:09 PM

Quote from: Falcondude on January 28, 2009, 02:38:50 PM

Opening ports for Blockland will not open ports for banking. No worries.

From your Blockland folder, you can open a dedicated server: the black box appears, and your server is up.

Ah, I just ran it and now I understand... but do you still need to forward ports in order to have a dedicated server?

DrBen · January 28, 2009, 05:27:13 PM

also... do i have to start my server before starting the dedicated program? Or can I start it before?

Falcondude · January 28, 2009, 07:49:15 PM

Yes you have to forward ports for it to work, just like a normal server.

Quote from: DrBen on January 28, 2009, 05:27:13 PM

also... do i have to start my server before starting the dedicated program? Or can I start it before?

Starting a dedi IS starting a server.

snot2 · January 28, 2009, 07:54:16 PM

blockland only uses 80 ports out of 65535 so the rest is still behind the firewall

Ethan · January 28, 2009, 07:57:04 PM

You have more chance of getting hacked or getting a virus just my surfing the internet.

DrBen · January 29, 2009, 01:13:10 PM

Just out of curiosity (and also showing more data to him), what exactly IS port forwarding?

*noobish question I know, but he's expecting to see it on this forum. =/ *