Upnp advice

beachBOYken · 23 Feb 2018 at 09:44

Hi

I noticed I have upnp enabled on my Asus router by default, I read this can be a security risk and even my routers security scan feature advises caution with it's enabled.

Would I run into problems if I disabled it?

I stream Netflix and play PS4/XboxOne all connected over wifi.

Thanks

Steveocee · 23 Feb 2018 at 13:55

Streaming netflix you won't have problems with it disabled but gaming consoles do prefer you to forward ports to them for various online connections. UPnP is just an "easy" way of allowing the consoles to open the ports that they need. It can be quite dangerous leaving UPnP on as if something gets something not too nice it could start punching holes in your firewall allowing worse things back in.

beachBOYken · 23 Feb 2018 at 14:22

Steveocee said:
Streaming netflix you won't have problems with it disabled but gaming consoles do prefer you to forward ports to them for various online connections. UPnP is just an "easy" way of allowing the consoles to open the ports that they need. It can be quite dangerous leaving UPnP on as if something gets something not too nice it could start punching holes in your firewall allowing worse things back in.

Thanks, Im a bit hesitant to disable it as I have never had issues with it enabled, its just that I saw the caution alert when I did a router security scan.

I guess I would need to faff about opening all kinds of ports if I disabled it.

Steveocee · 23 Feb 2018 at 15:23

beachBOYken said:
Thanks, Im a bit hesitant to disable it as I have never had issues with it enabled, its just that I saw the caution alert when I did a router security scan.

I guess I would need to faff about opening all kinds of ports if I disabled it.

You'd be surprised how little you need to do. Last time I did it for an XBOX it was only port 3074 TCP & UDP. There will be loads of guides online about "how" to do it but all you really need is common sense and the relevant port numbers.