View Single Post
Old 04-28-2009, 02:17 PM   #5 (permalink)
johnwill
Manager, Networking Forums
 
johnwill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US
Posts: 41,720
OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux


Blog Entries: 1
Re: Constantly listening on a port - Security issue?

It's what is called an "attack surface". The more ports you open, the larger the attack surface, and the easier it is for an attacker to find a bug that allows him in the door. The trick is to minimize the attack surface as much as possible. Obviously, if you want the server functionality, you can't eliminate it totally.
__________________
If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up!

Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
johnwill is offline   Reply With Quote