Whats the worst that could happen?

[NachT]

I've been hosting a couple of game servers from my own IP the past month or 2, just for me and my mates to play on. A few of my mates have suggested I put the IP for these game servers into the public, so we can have some more action on the server.

Is this a bad idea? 3 people including myself do online banking from the same connection, is there any risks? Also computer security, would there be any higher risks against hacking attempts to the other systems on the network?

 

[Uhtred]

No not really. Just make sure you've only got the needed ports open and nothing else...also, don't use dmz.

 

[NachT]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not sure what dmz is, I've done a quick wiki and am I right in thinking it would be an option in my router to allow all ports to be open?

Also when you say to only have the needed ports open and nothing els, is there a specific range of ports I should be more careful about opening? Or is any random open port just as risky as having a specific one open?

 

[Dist]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not sure what dmz is, I've done a quick wiki and am I right in thinking it would be an option in my router to allow all ports to be open?

Also when you say to only have the needed ports open and nothing els, is there a specific range of ports I should be more careful about opening? Or is any random open port just as risky as having a specific one open?

All ports should be closed except the specific ports you need for your game server. There is no reason for a port to be open unless you specificaly need it to be open for some reason.

 

[LeeC]

DMZ is de-militarised zone, this means all ports are open on your router to the outside world. when somebody hits your public IP, the DMZ setting sends all traffic to an internal IP address of your choice, i.e. computer 1, computer 2, games console, webcam or printer.

The problem is that some network equipment available on the market is easy to manipulate via code (printers), and therefore through somebody perfoming port scans on your IP (on a batch run) will see the hole. They can then work to gaining access to your internal network. Big hole in your firewall.

De-miliatarised zone - no defence.

 

[LeeC]

in truth though, a piece of software call Nessus or similar could scan your IP address and find open ports whether your DMZ is active or not and then attempt to access through various protocols.

 

[Phal]

Have to wonder... what kind of internet connection do you have and what games are you hosting servers for? :|

 

[mynsa]

just open the ports as required.

are you sure you have enough upload bandwidth to cope with hosting gaming servers?

if you dont mind me asking what is the game and on what format?