- Linux: The Choice of Network Engineers
- Is Your Home System at Risk?
- What's Safe?
- Is Your Home System a Server?
- Are Broadband Connections More Vulnerable?
- What Ports are Open?
- Using Netstat to List Ports
- Is Windows File Sharing a Risk?
- Using a Port Scan to Test Your System
- Checking for Windows NetBIOS Risks
- Definitions
Is Your Home System a Server?
The problem is that most home users don't know if they have server software running on their PC. Windows 95/98, for example, includes a "personal web server" that is routinely installed as part of the system. Microsoft's FrontPage software also installs a Web server on your system. This is a server that can make your system vulnerable.
Another risk is if you've enabled file sharing on a Windows or Macintosh computer. With file sharing enabled, you could be sharing your files with the world.
If you aren't sure of the answers to these questions, then your home system is vulnerable and you should consider adding a firewall to secure your system. If you are running any kind of server software on your home computer, then you should have a firewall for security.