Does this look ok?

[steve2000x]

If the image shows here you'll see in my task mgr a trace of unexplained (to me) activity over my cable modem.
And open port. While my comp is just sitting, nothing else going on.

Is this normal?

Previously I've asked here about this some weeks ago, and the consensus seemed to be 'no worries'...

But still doubtful (paranoid).

Have scanned with a variety of shareware AV and anti-trojan software.

using adaware, spybot s&d, spyware blaster, regClean...

link to image of my desktop
http://members.cox.net/fiesta20001/oct21asmall.jpg

 

[JackMDS]

It might be that you do not evaluate your system correctly.

Open ports on a computer are a normal operation.

Unnecessary open port to the Internet is "Bad".

To evaluate Open ports to the Internet you have to use one of the Internet Port Scanners.

To evaluate what is actually running on you computer you can use.

One way to check your system's basic security by logging to the following page, scroll down to the Hot Spots section, and click on Shields Up. http://grc.com/default.htm

Assuming that you have a Software Firewall you can look at the log and see if beyond ISP noise there is unexplainable traffic while you system rests.

BTW if some one is so concern.

Do not keep credit cards info on a hard drive and keep is important files (School work, New Patents., Love Letters, Accounting information) on a Zip or pen drive.

What then left to be stolen? Microsoft expensive Code? 😉

 

[steve2000x]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
It might be that you do not evaluate your system correctly.

Open ports on a computer are a normal operation.

Unnecessary open port to the Internet is "Bad".

To evaluate Open ports to the Internet you have to use one of the Internet Port Scanners.

To evaluate what is actually running on you computer you can use.

One way to check your system's basic security by logging to the following page, scroll down to the Hot Spots section, and click on Shields Up. http://grc.com/default.htm

Assuming that you have a Software Firewall you can look at the log and see if beyond ISP noise there is unexplainable traffic while you system rests.

BTW if some one is so concern.

Do not keep credit cards info on a hard drive and keep is important files (School work, New Patents., Love Letters, Accounting information) on a Zip or pen drive.

What then left to be stolen? Microsoft expensive Code? 😉

Thanx for quck response.

GRC Shields Up just now shows stealth all ports.


Can you see the screenshot of my desktop here:

http://members.cox.net/fiesta20001/oct21asmall.jpg

It shows 'Active Ports' listing nine open ports and

Taskmanager which has the graph trace that has me concerned, along with constantly blinking modem data light.

I'm not concerned about personal info being stolen

but

Remote attacks directed at others thru my comp.

 

[JackMDS]

OPEN PORTS ON A COMPUTER IS PART OF NORMAL OPERATION.

 

[Doh!]

The only thing wrong w/ the picture is you messy desktop. 🙂 Shields Up does a pretty good job of finding any suspicious ports being open. Your connection seems fine.

 

[martind1]

maybe we need ot explain what an open port is and why it is not always bad.


so my quick synopsis. if you ahve a web server, your port 80 will be 'open' which means it will recieve incomign connections (in this case for your web server).

but somethimes ports get opened by things like trojans and people exploit these things. that is a 'bad' open port.

 

[steve2000x]

Originally posted by: martind1




but somethimes ports get opened by things like trojans and people exploit these things. that is a 'bad' open port.

Yup, that was my concern...

Thanx for answers e'rybody.Have a safe drive home.

(as for my 'messy desktop' - you're seeing the 'after' cleaned up version, heheheh)

 

[martind1]

if you see a port that you don't recognize that is open, searchign the itnernet to see if it is a common one for certain programs.

or if you dont have a webserver running and port 80 is open, then you need to investigate.