Does anyone know of some good port blocking software?

Hi, I ran Symantec's online security weakness thinge and it came back with some port weaknesses. I was just wondering if someone has some good freeware software that can block the ports? Thanks, ~Matt :-)

iam not sure what "port weaknesses" are, more info please is this a "open, closed, stealth port" test?

Like it means that hackers and other things can access those ports. Hope this helps. ~Matt :-)

"open' ports are not "bad" a port is only vulnerable if it has a trojan, vulnerable app or service listening on it.

But is there anyway to put them in sleath mode so there is no risk? ~Matt :-)

a closed port is not at risk. a port being in sleath mode isnt any safer. (thanks GRC)

But the ports I am talking about are open. ~matt :-)

Put yourself behind a router. And use at least WinXP firewall. Get Zone Alarm software/dual direction firewall (free) and you will "feel" safer. Though XP may be just as good at keeping things out. If, however, "you" allow something in via download etc., only a software firewall will detect it doing its dirty work, trying to call home. So get a software firewall to put your mind at rest. Best Regards

Thankyou. What do you mean about Zone alarm dual direction firewall? ~Matt :-)

Window XP has a native Microsoft Firewall built into it. The Microsoft Firewall "listens" or "guards" against bad-guys that may try to break "into" your machine from the internet. Zone Alarm "listens" or "guards" against bad-guys that may try to break "into" your machine from the internet…. and also "listens" or "guards" the gate to tell you when some application from your machine is trying to reach out and make contact to the internet. Examples of this "outward" activity would be, for instance: An application program periodically attempts to connect to the internet to check for updates. For instance: your anti-virus periodically attempts to update, as does the Windows XP operating system itself. Other frequent updaters may include Nero, Roxio, RealAudio, AIM, gaming programs, Anti-Spyware programs, etc. Any time an application attempts to connect to the internet, Zone Alarm with pop up an alert so that you can "Allow" or "Deny" permission for that application to connect to the Internet. Most often, When you intentionally start an Internet Browsing session with Internet Explorer or FireFox, or Opera, or some other browser, Zone Alarm will alert you that, for instance: "Internet Explorer" is attempting to gain access to the Internet" - "Allow" – "Deny" Eventually, you will get tired of manually deciding to "Allow" – "Deny". Zone Alarm has a little box on the Alert pop up frame "Remember this setting" and will learn that you always want to allow Internet Explorer to access the internet. Zone Alarm will configure itself to automatically allow those applications where you Select "Allow" and "Remember this setting". Zone Alarm will also learn when you Select "Deny" and "Remember this Setting". Eventually you will have experienced most of your common applications attempting to contact the Internet and you will have Selected "Allow" or "Deny" and told Zone Alarm to "Remember this setting" so that you won't see the warning alerts anymore. At that point, if you see an alert, for instance: "XYZ program is attempting to connect to the internet" it is either a new program that you just installed for the first time, or it is a Trojan or Spyware application trying to send out your personal information. Zone Alarm won't let that happen, unless you Select "Allow". That's what I mean by protecting both ways. Best Regards

Thanks, ~Matt