Port 138: NetBIOS Session Service

[LadyDi]

My network uses NetBIOS Session Service port 139 for file and printer sharing. This is a security hole though. Is there a way to continue to do file and printer sharing without having to have that port open?

 

[spidey07]

no, unless you use another protocol such as IPX/NETBEUI. Windows networking (SMB over netbios over tcp) used ports 137 and 138

Firewalls are used to secure your network. Typically you would have three interfaces on a firewall. 1 - public internet, completely open. 2 - DMZ, used for limited access by the public internet based on port number or application. 3 - internal network

DI - just what kind of mess have you walked into? What does your network look like today? Please don't tell me your internal network is publicly addressable.

 

[LadyDi]

Well it isn't all that bad I just wondered if there was a way to close that port as it's the only one open. We are getting ready to solve this with hardware in that we will be spiltting our network up into different domains and also switching everything. Our customers will only have access to those servers that they need and the rest will be unreachable. Tell me if that doesn't make sense and I'll try to explain better.

I really was asking out of my own curiosity, not need.

Thanks Spidey

Di

 

[spidey07]

cool, i'm just a smart a$$ if you couldn't tell already!