Closing Ports?

[ErnieK]

Could some one explain (gently) how I can close open ports. I ran Jason Levines "Open Ports" proram and it shows quite a few ports open. How do I close them?

Win98se, (and for future reference XP as well):confused:

[Anonymous]

Which ports are they? Windows 98 doesn't have any service ports open by default. They are probably just local ports listening and not a security risk.

[Reid]

A firewall program such as ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com) (there is a free version, but it takes a little looking to find it) can hide the ports. Try running ShieldsUp at Gibson Research (http://grc.com/intro.htm), then read his summary and tips after seeing the test results.

[ErnieK]

Sisters Computer, WinXP.

She has Zone Alarm install (Free ver) Have not run Shields Up on her comp. Stupidly never gave that a thought.

I connected to PC Guide forums for the test. (because I know it is safe here)

"Open Ports show the following listening for connection.
TCP/135 - TCP/445 - TCP/1025 - TCP/1026.

There are 8 ports open and connected to
64.124.xxx.xx.available.above.net (I have ommited the last digits and shown exactly how it is reported) These ports range form TCP/1759 - TCP/1769.

It also show 3 connected to PC Guide.

When I enter the 3 from PC Guide it connects to the site (eg. 209.68.14..80) When I enter the 64.124 into the addy bar and press go I recieve message saying "Could not connect to remote port"

[mjc]

Ernie,

From the command prompt type in netstat -an > report.txt and PM the created txt file to me.

Also running HijackThis (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/) and posting the log from it would be helpful.

Some of those ports are suspicious, and ZA should have them closed, unless some allowed application is holding them open. There is currently one piece of spyware crap, goes by the name of clientman, that will automatically click itself through ZA. Not saying things are viral or trojan but I think clientman runs in that port range.....

[ErnieK]

MJC
Will do. Will be going through to see her Teus or Wed and will get the details then and send them onto you. Thanks.