Why can't i use Remote Desktop in Windows XP with firewall turned ON?

[Confused]

I have a small network at home connected to the internet through a WinXP pro "server" and my cable modem. I use ICS and WinXP on my computer as well. I am currently trying to do some work at college using Remote Desktop to get to my computer, as the college computers don't have the necessary software i need to do my computer science coursework.

I have been trying to set this up, with a mate, also on cable, trying to connect tomy machine, by using ICS on the server, and going into advanced options and turning on forwarding Remote Desktop to my computer.

However, if i have my firewall running (i only use Zone Alarm Pro, not Windows ICF), it will not allow my friend to connect, but if i turn off ZAP, then he can connect. I want to be able to connect, but still have ZAP running on both server and my computer, as i do not want my computers to be able to be hacked while i am at college.

How would i be able to set this up so that i can use Remote Desktop with ZAP running?


Thanks in advance


ConfusedBW

 

[serialb]

IIRC Windows XP Remote Desktop uses port 3389 by default, make sure ZA doesn't block port 3389.

 

[Confused]

I think that it is allowed in ZAP, because i can access it perfectly fine over my network, it's just to the outside it doesn't want to seem to work

 

[RaySun2Be]

CBW,
Did you do any configs for the internal network in ZAP to allow access? It may allow ports internally that it automatically blocks from external sources. I would suggest taking a look at ZAP and seeing if you could open the port from external sources.

 

[Confused]

Nope, no things set up for within LAN, just clicked on the "Yes" button, and it worked!


Another friend confirmed that with ZAP on, it doesn't work, with it off, it is asking for password

I think i may just leave it like this for now, and hope i don't get hacked or whatever while ZA is turned off, unless i can get it fixed to work with ZAP.

CBW

 

[SoulAssassin]

Not a Zone Alarm expert but it does seem like it's blocking the port. Is there a specific way in ZA to force that port open? From your original post it seems like you have multiple XP computers with one of them being your gateway. Are you trying to remote desktop into the gateway or one of the boxes behind it?

In regards to security, turn on Auditing for all failures, rename the administrator acct, and double check that the guest acct is renamed. You can always setup a nice logon message to state the things you will do to a persons mother that attempts to hack in.

 

[Confused]

I am trying to connect to one of the boxes behind the gateway, but if i can't get that to work then i'll just connect to the gateway, then use that to connect to my computer behind it!

I can't see anything anywhere in ZAP to open a specific port, but i know the IP address of my college, so i have added that to the Local Zone in ZA, as my computer can connect to the server, and the IP range is within the local zone.

So, i'll test it when i get into college today, and hopefully it will work

ConfusedBW

 

[SoulAssassin]

How are you doing port forwarding? Turn remote desktop on the gateway and see if you can connect. Worst case scenario if that works you can then open up another Remote Desktop session (preferably in full screen mode) and connect to the second machine. Ugly but functional.

Let me know what happens when you try and connect to the gateway from outside the LAN.