Hey hey hey guys, I've got a few questions about port forwarding and it's relation to Minecraft's port 25565 and the servers. Basically every where I've searched for port forwarding is about torrents, nothing useful to me because it isn't Minecraft specific. When there are minecraft specific posts, they aren't specific enough. I've got a few issues with port forwarding, first of all I don't own the internet I just use it so I can't go screwing with the firewall properties on the router without informing the admin what port forwarding is; second, I'm new to port forwarding and am unsure on how safe it is to forward a port.
Here's the questions I've got so far:
1. Is port 25565 only for the Minecraft.net site? (I'm not sure if this question even makes sense, I may have been mis-informed, that's why I'm asking.)
2. If I forward port 25565 to host a server and allow people to access it, does this leave the network I'm using susceptible to virus attacks and hackers? (I got the idea that if I open a port it might give hackers an open doorway into my network. I know this idea would just drive the admin mad.)
If I've got more questions that pop up and aren't covered in responses I'll just add them below.
Thanks. :wink.gif:
1. No, it's just the default port on server.properties, which is changeable.
2. Not unless you're a crazy hacker, but if you got a firewall or anti virus you should be fine.
3. Nay, not unless you're open yourself and other users are connected to your own network probably, the people in your network can probably seek through your computer if files are shared.
@LG_Legacy:
thanks. now that you mention the port in server.properties can be changed, I have to ask what exactly the port is used for in relation to minecraft and why I need to forward it.
what kind of risks could there be from crazy hackers? would these risks be the same if the port wasn't forwarded?
i have an antivirus program and the router has a firewall, which is where i would forward the port at. network admin says if it is modifying the firewall then it sounds very bad because people on this network do things such as banking, which is very private info as you may know.
if i'm going to convince the admin to let me forward this port (they have the pass for it) then i'll need a good reason for how it is safe and exactly what port forwarding does for hosting a minecraft server.
As the wiki states: Port forwarding allows remote computers (e.g., public machines on the Internet) to connect to a specific computer within a private LAN.
Ports are just information requests from a certain program that needs to connect to another network, so basically you're just letting that certain program access you're Internet connection. Hackers cannot access anything of yours. Also, file sharing is different from ports. Ports aren't designated to any one thing.
Here's the questions I've got so far:
1. Is port 25565 only for the Minecraft.net site? (I'm not sure if this question even makes sense, I may have been mis-informed, that's why I'm asking.)
2. If I forward port 25565 to host a server and allow people to access it, does this leave the network I'm using susceptible to virus attacks and hackers? (I got the idea that if I open a port it might give hackers an open doorway into my network. I know this idea would just drive the admin mad.)
If I've got more questions that pop up and aren't covered in responses I'll just add them below.
Thanks. :wink.gif:
3. If I forward the 25565 port is it possible that others can gain access to personal private information on the computers connected in my network?
Thanks.
2. Not unless you're a crazy hacker, but if you got a firewall or anti virus you should be fine.
3. Nay, not unless you're open yourself and other users are connected to your own network probably, the people in your network can probably seek through your computer if files are shared.
Former #minecraft channel operator.
thanks. now that you mention the port in server.properties can be changed, I have to ask what exactly the port is used for in relation to minecraft and why I need to forward it.
what kind of risks could there be from crazy hackers? would these risks be the same if the port wasn't forwarded?
i have an antivirus program and the router has a firewall, which is where i would forward the port at. network admin says if it is modifying the firewall then it sounds very bad because people on this network do things such as banking, which is very private info as you may know.
if i'm going to convince the admin to let me forward this port (they have the pass for it) then i'll need a good reason for how it is safe and exactly what port forwarding does for hosting a minecraft server.
i really appreciate the help!! thanks.
That port is probably just a random port since you can easily modify the port in server.properties and change it to your liking.
I'm not an expert when it comes down to hacking with port-forwards, so perhaps someone else can explain or maybe you can join IRC and ask around.
What is port forwarding?
Here take a look here: http://portforward.com/help/portforwarding.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_forwarding
As the wiki states: Port forwarding allows remote computers (e.g., public machines on the Internet) to connect to a specific computer within a private LAN.
Former #minecraft channel operator.
2. no
3. no
Ports are just information requests from a certain program that needs to connect to another network, so basically you're just letting that certain program access you're Internet connection. Hackers cannot access anything of yours. Also, file sharing is different from ports. Ports aren't designated to any one thing.