Shields Up: Internet Port Security Tool
Written: Nov 15 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Free & Comprehensive
Cons: N/A
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| psugrowler's Full Review: Shields Up |
Hackers aren’t to be taken lightly. These people do it for the challenge. They aren’t looking for you, per se, but if your system is exposed then it’s party time.
What people don’t realize is that hackers just don’t open a phone book, close their eyes, and pick out victim. Hackers utilize sophisticated cracker (scanners) programs that constantly grab IP addresses and search for vulnerable ports. Once they are inside your system it’s game over. If you are constantly connected to the Internet through a DSL, cable or other high- speed connection, you are the most vulnerable.
You may be thinking that all you ever do is send harmless e-mail and download MP3s, why would a hacker want anything to do with that? Once again, for the challenge. These malicious people can take over your computer and inflict terror through the Internet, using your IP address. Once the damage is done, the FBI will start their investigation at your doorstep. That inconvenience is enough for me. The Feds can snoop around here all they want but I don’t want to end up living some cheesy movie of the week.
Shields Up! will test your system for security leaks from your browser for free. After the test, the Shields UP! Site will advise ways to best protect your computer. Initial tests using the Shields Up! site exposed peoples names and directories. A small but good percentage of people were exposed and vulnerable, allowing connections and full exposure to the Open Directories.
First, I downloaded a quick utility (< 20 bytes) called the IP Agent to find out which IP address I wanted to probe. If you have a cable modem and a dial up ISP or other multiple network connections you will most likely have more than one IP. IP Agent quickly identified two IP’s for me to test.
I quickly tested my IP security with Test My Shields and was told that my Internet 139 port didn’t exist. Additionally, I was told that an attempt to connect via NetBios (file sharing) had failed. Relieved, I was not out of the dark yet but Shields Up! statistics stated that I was operating in full stealth mode since my PC refused to answer any connection attempts.
Probe My Ports is the second test offered from Shields Up!. Here a test is run for the following ten ports: FTP, Telnet, SMTP, Finger, HTTP, POP3, IDENT, NetBIOS, IMAP, HTTPS.
The test for all these ports registered Closed, except for the NetBIOS test, which registered Stealth!
To receive a Stealth report instead of Closed on all the ports I would have had to employ the services of a personal firewall. One of the best is Zone Alarm, which is a free download with over 6,000,000 users to date.
Not only can you quickly check your PC’s vulnerability to hackers, Shields Up! is a thorough education in computer security. The wealth of information you can scour here is unfathomable. A message board is available to discuss related security topics. Additionally, a notification system will notify you when a high-speed port scanner utility is ready for deployment.
Shields Up! is a quick way to check your computer’s defense against any open port vulnerability. If you are file sharing, your server could leave these ports open to hack. Shields Up! is a great diagnostic for port exposure but no defense to Trojan Horse and other viruses. Visit the Shields Up! site and access your computer’s security for free.
Recommended:
Yes
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