Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98?
From: "Robert D. Holtz - Lists" <robert.d.holtz () gmail com>
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:36:24 -0500
I would definitely look into one of the software based firewall products. Better still would be a small firewall appliance that would sit between your ADSL box and you inside network. I use the Symantec Gateway Appliance myself. Since you're running '98 your options may be limited when it comes to a software based firewall. Just my $.02 ... -----Original Message----- From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of gohyongkwang () hotmail com Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 10:01 PM To: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Hi, I'm using an old computer at home for casual personal communication (checking Web based emails and MSN instant messaging) and Web surfing and it is still running on Windows 98 SE due to its limited RAM and CPU power. No plan to upgrade and the computer is still good enough for the simple job. Nevertheless, since I connect my computer to the Internet via a ADSL router/modem, I did some preliminary check on my computer to see how secure I am. I used winipcfg.exe to obtain my IP address (192.168.1.101) and did a netstat -a on it to find out what ports are open and/or listening. It reports only port 139 as listening, which after googling around a bit says it's a NetBios session port. Dunnoe what this means though, but I've _not_ enabled "File and Printer Sharing." Now assuming I'm a cautious Web surfer who uses Firefox and only visit reputable sites like MSN, Yahoo! and Google, and avoid visiting hacking sites and running hacking tools, and that my computer is currently not infected by malware, virus or rootkit (i.e. computer is clean and updated), is there any way that a hacker can still connect to my computer over the Internet, browse my hard disk and steal my files? Theoretically, I've not enabled port forwarding in my router/modem, and so external computer trying to ping or connect to my computer should not succeed, and if there's no port listening at all (except for port 139), no other computer should be able to infilitrate right? Yet, I can't say anything is foolproof. So just like to seek your expert opinion. What are the other areas I should continue to look at to further protect my system? Is it still possible to be attacked through a listening port 139 with file sharing disabled? Thanks in advance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is sponsored by: Norwich University EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE The NSA has designated Norwich University a center of Academic Excellence in Information Security. Our program offers unparalleled Infosec management education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. Using interactive e-Learning technology, you can earn this esteemed degree, without disrupting your career or home life. http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is sponsored by: Norwich University EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE The NSA has designated Norwich University a center of Academic Excellence in Information Security. Our program offers unparalleled Infosec management education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. Using interactive e-Learning technology, you can earn this esteemed degree, without disrupting your career or home life. http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? gohyongkwang (Sep 25)
- Re: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? dave (Sep 26)
- Re: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Frynge Customer Support (Sep 26)
- Re[2]: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? gmx (Sep 27)
- Re: Re[2]: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Frynge Customer Support (Sep 28)
- Re: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Sep 28)
- RE: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? David Gillett (Sep 28)
- Re[2]: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? gmx (Sep 27)
- Re: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Luchino - Samel (Sep 26)
- RE: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Robert D. Holtz - Lists (Sep 26)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? krymson (Sep 26)
- Re: Re[2]: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Gethinj (Sep 28)
- Re:No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Colin Copley (Sep 28)
- RE: Re[2]: No NetBios share + No Open Port = Safe Win98? Jag (Sep 29)