Open port - should I be worried about doing this???

Question

Ok, here's the deal - my college blocks all but web and pop3 ports (supposedly all but 80 and 110 are blocked) and my ISP at home blocks ports 25, 80, and 110 because running a server violates the TOS.

I'm thinking port 443 (HTTPS) will probably be open at the college (HTTPS sites work, I assume it's open) and I know it's not blocked at home. I have software firewall on my main computer and XP firewall on the other computer that's not usually running.

Is it asking for trouble if I leave that port open on my home router - forwarded to either a printer-server or (future) slingbox?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

depending on the inbound traffic, ur fine

Answer 2

The device to which you port forward determines the risk.

Let's say you port forward to a printer.  The hacker gets to see that you own a printer, brand x, model y, etc.  No issue there at all.

Let's say you port forward to a network attached storage device that has no user name and password.  Now the hacker gets to see all info stored on the storage device, and can get valuable information.  This is a major issue.  

Therefore, the level of concern is governed more by what is at the end of the port forward than the port opening itself.

Answer 3

No, odn't worry about it, you will be fine

Answer 4

Opening port is all right. But some connections can come to our computer which may be harmful.