Port Scan - Attempts

S

Schitzo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2008
Messages
484
Reaction score
3
Location
Psyche Ward
Hey there! I was wondering whether anyone would be able to assist me please? For the past 6 days I've been receiving warnings via BitDefender, that attempts have been made to scan my ports. I've had a total of 161 attempts in just 6 days and am starting to freak out a little.

Apart from having Bit Defender, could someone give me some advise as to what else I could do to avoid these Port Scans, please? Would changing IP addresses make a difference?
 
Schitzo said:
Hey there! I was wondering whether anyone would be able to assist me please? For the past 6 days I've been receiving warnings via BitDefender, that attempts have been made to scan my ports. I've had a total of 161 attempts in just 6 days and am starting to freak out a little.

Apart from having Bit Defender, could someone give me some advise as to what else I could do to avoid these Port Scans, please? Would changing IP addresses make a difference?
Click to expand...

You can't block a port scan, but you can block ports to secure yourself.
 
koeksGHT said:
You can't block a port scan, but you can block ports to secure yourself.
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying! I've been reading up on how to go about blocking my ports, however I am thoroughly confused. Any chance you could perhaps break it down for me, please?
 
genetic said:
Nothing to be concerned about. Most modems will receive a few hundred port scans a day.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! I wasn't too sure and after receiving just over 30 today, I started to panic. Should the Port Scan work against me, what exactly would the person how to gain from it? I've read conflicting stories online and am somewhat lost.
 
What internet connection do you have? Normally your router will block them. Why are they reaching your PC?
 
Port scans are used to find which ports are open and then to gather information about OS running/application versions etc.

I take it you are on a home network. Your router by default should block all incoming ports. You might have 80/443 open if you are running a web server at home.

Port scans are nothing to worry about - most IP's are scanned by script kiddies.

I'd be more concerned over what ports you have opened. If none are open then you are fine.

If you have certain ports open then make sure the systems behind them are patched/locked down etc.
 
biometrics said:
What internet connection do you have? Normally your router will block them. Why are they reaching your PC?
Click to expand...

I have a ADSL connection. I'm not sure why I am being targeted. I cant think of anything that I've done that would warrant an attack. My browsing online consists solely of Youtube, MyBroadband and the occasional Steam Single player RPG game.
 
gregmcc said:
Port scans are used to find which ports are open and then to gather information about OS running/application versions etc.

I take it you are on a home network. Your router by default should block all incoming ports. You might have 80/443 open if you are running a web server at home.

Port scans are nothing to worry about - most IP's are scanned by script kiddies.

I'd be more concerned over what ports you have opened. If none are open then you are fine.

If you have certain ports open then make sure the systems behind them are patched/locked down etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response! I am indeed on a Home Network. My Router and Bitdefender, I hope, have blocked all incoming ports. I am not sure, nor do I know how to check whether port 80/443 is open...

Is there any way to check which ports are open and if so close them?
 
Schitzo said:
I have a ADSL connection. I'm not sure why I am being targeted. I cant think of anything that I've done that would warrant an attack. My browsing online consists solely of Youtube, MyBroadband and the occasional Steam Single player RPG game.
Click to expand...

Yes, hackers are lazy so.. it's automated.
 
Schitzo said:
I have a ADSL connection. I'm not sure why I am being targeted. I cant think of anything that I've done that would warrant an attack. My browsing online consists solely of Youtube, MyBroadband and the occasional Steam Single player RPG game.
Click to expand...

You might not be target - could just be a script kiddie scanning your IP subnet.

Switch off your ADSL for a few mins - you should get a new IP when you reconnect but if they are scanning IP's you will soon be picked up again.

If you have no open ports then you have nothing to worry about. A port scan will come up blank.

Is Bitdefender detecting scans hitting your windows PC? If so this is more worrying as they should be getting blocked on your router.
 
Schitzo said:
Thanks for the response! I am indeed on a Home Network. My Router and Bitdefender, I hope, have blocked all incoming ports. I am not sure, nor do I know how to check whether port 80/443 is open...

Is there any way to check which ports are open and if so close them?
Click to expand...

Check your router and see if you have any port forwarding setup.
 
Schitzo said:
Thanks for the response! I am indeed on a Home Network. My Router and Bitdefender, I hope, have blocked all incoming ports. I am not sure, nor do I know how to check whether port 80/443 is open...

Is there any way to check which ports are open and if so close them?
Click to expand...
You need to login to and check your router. Who set up your router? Did they put your PC in a DMZ. That means it is directly connected to the internet without the protection of the router firewall. Some applications or games may require that but it's rare.

If you know what to do you can reset your router to factory settings and reconfigure it.
 
gregmcc said:
You might not be target - could just be a script kiddie scanning your IP subnet.

Switch off your ADSL for a few mins - you should get a new IP when you reconnect but if they are scanning IP's you will soon be picked up again.

If you have no open ports then you have nothing to worry about. A port scan will come up blank.

Is Bitdefender detecting scans hitting your windows PC? If so this is more worrying as they should be getting blocked on your router.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I'll reset my router and get a new IP and see if that helps.

Yes, BitDefender is the application that is detecting the scans on my Windows PC. I currently have a Asus DSL-N55U-D1 Router. I am not sure if it is blocking any of the Port Scans, nor do I have a clue on how to check.

Unfortunately I have NO clue on how to go about checking as to whether my Router has a Port Forwarding Setup.
 
biometrics said:
You need to login to and check your router. Who set up your router? Did they put your PC in a DMZ. That means it is directly connected to the internet without the protection of the router firewall. Some applications or games may require that but it's rare.

If you know what to do you can reset your router to factory settings and reconfigure it.
Click to expand...

I've logged into the Router, however I am uncertain as to what exactly to do or change? Its sadly all "Greek" to me. I installed/setup the router myself, after following the instruction on the box.

I'm not sure if its in a DMZ state. Sorry for the vague responses, I truly have NO clue.
 
Schitzo said:
I've logged into the Router, however I am uncertain as to what exactly to do or change? Its sadly all "Greek" to me. I installed/setup the router myself, after following the instruction on the box.

I'm not sure if its in a DMZ state. Sorry for the vague responses, I truly have NO clue.
Click to expand...
Use this to see if you have open ports: https://www.grc.com/shieldsup
 
Schitzo said:
Thank you for the link! I ran the test and got the following back "THE EQUIPMENT AT THE TARGET IP ADDRESS
DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR UPnP PROBES!". I'm guessing that's a good thing.
Click to expand...
If it's negative you may have an infection on your internal network trying to spread. Scan all your devices.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X