Turning Off Windows Firewall, Is This Ok?

1. Tweeter & the MonkeyMan Says

   Turning the firewall completely off is not the wisest choice.
   and It WILL NOT SAVE bandwidth.
   (correction: it will save bandwidth if you consider possible updates & security patches to the firewall. It will likely increase bandwidth overall because it is a lot easier to attack your system.)
   If friend is opening a minecraft server, then some port/ports need to be open.
   There are more than 65,000 possible ports on a common Windoze computer.
   Some ports need to be open for other stuff too. If the computer is working now, it it pretty likely that some ports in the firewall are already open.
   Opening a server to the public.. even to friends who need passwords.. is making the computer a much more likely target for hacking.
   Every computer needs some kind of firewall as a layer of defense.
   If you choose to use a different firewall, or leave Windoze firewall in place, just open the ports you need.
   On Windows 7 / Server models, you/friend can open the Firewall controls from Windows Control Panel, then make exceptions for the programs you want.
   ( like: minecraft.exe, TCP + UDP, Private networks + Public networks)
   OR, you can temporarily drop the firewall, and while down – and running the server – monitor what ports are being used.
   > netstat -abp or similar shell (cmd , command, or your favorite ‘black screen’ shell) command will show you the ports in use, and the program using them.
   Since it is likely that the minecraft server will probably use a wide range of ports, depending on how many users at any time.. the first method ( allow program) is probably better than the second (allow specific ports) .
   Once you decide and do it, put the firewall back on and test how it works.
   AntiVirus programs, firewalls, and user common sense are 3 good layers of security; none are anywhere near perfect alone, and all 3 together still have plenty of exposed weaknesses.

2. sewrobb Says

   Firewalls are there to stop unauthorised infiltration to your computer and
   makes absolutely no difference to bandwidth, speed or anything else.
   To be honest switching it off and then asking people to access it is
   just waiting for a disaster to happen but of course that’s up to him!
   All game players aren’t that innocent and your friend is pretty naive
   to even think that.
   Never heard of key loggers and trojan laying?
   If needs be, make the server a Firewall exception so the rest
   of the computer is protected.

3. jay Says

   If he turns off his firewall he will have no security and could be vunerable to attacks but if he is only playing for a few hours he’ll be fine.

4. Rohit Says

   Ya,It is ok you dont have any problem with firewall off.

5. Anonymous Says

   I think its ok. It will save your bandwidth

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