Azureus BitTorrent, port 6881 security question

[Lucky-Charms]

Hi,

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the Software forum or in the Security forum, but it has more to do with Security so I'll post it here.

I have Azureus installed (and up and running, I believe), but I had a slight error while using the Configuration Wizard under the "NAT / Server Port" section. When it tested my port 6881, I was given this error in the display screen "Testing port 6881 ... NAT Error"

I then went to System Settings > Security Level > Other Ports : added 6881:tcp and left the Firewall otherwise unchanged and enabled.

When I went back to the Configuration Wizard, the test of port 6881 was successful.

I'm wondering if what I did was "safe", or if it's not and I've just seriously compromised my machine, what should I have done instead?

Thanks in advance,

-L

[crackers]

Sounds fine to me, as long as you're comfortable with leaving that port open. As far as I know, there's no currently known exploitable issues with BitTorrent clients - but that can change...

[Lucky-Charms]

Is there an option which would allow me to have port 6881 selectively open? Say, whenever Azureus is downloading/uploading it's open, and whenever it's stopped, it's closed? Other than, of course, me selectively closing and opening the port through the Security Level GUI.

-L

[ghaefb]

I think you'r just being paranoid my friend...

[Lucky-Charms]

Originally Posted by ghaefb

I think you'r just being paranoid my friend...

[andyg@linuxbox andyg]$ less computer_terms_dictionary_paranoid
computer_terms_dictionary_paranoid: No such file or directory

The word "paranoid" shouldn't exist in the dictionary of a 9 years (and no longer counting) user of Windows. I'm still getting use to the feeling of not having 2 spyware checkers and a virus scanner running on my computer.

But, if you think I'm being paranoid, I'll be satisfied with the solution I've found.

-L

[virusdoc]

Originally Posted by Lucky-Charms

The word "paranoid" shouldn't exist in the dictionary of a 9 years (and no longer counting) user of Windows. I'm still getting use to the feeling of not having 2 spyware checkers and a virus scanner running on my computer.

I second that! I've only converted to Linux about a week ago, and I feel naked without Norton AV constantly stealing CPU and HD time!

[PsyGhost]

I dont think that opening the bittorrent port can harm your machine some way.
Take note that without opening the port you will no be able to connect to some users, which will decrease your download speed.

[Lucky-Charms]

Are there ports besides 6881:tcp that need to be open? I've tested Azureus and my download speeds were respectable, and my uploads were also respectable, but if I can eek out a little bit more speed, I'd not be opposed to it.

-L

[ghaefb]

Bittorrent uses ports 6881-6999. But Azureus only uses port 6881.
For best download performance it's good idea to open port 6881,
if it's blocked by your firewall/router.

You don't need any other ports open...

[PsyGhost]

Azureus uses only 1 open port which is 6881 by default.

[vishnumrao]

I have both bittorrent and azureus installed.
1.I have bittorrent using port 6881 and azureus using port 7700. I opened up 7700 by setting 7700:tcp in the list of trusted ports in system settings--> security level. Am I doing anything wrong?

2. When I start a download azureus starts doing some sort of a checking which takes about a minute for a file of 1.2 Gb. And CPU usage shows 100%. Why is this happening. Any work arounds. Been using bittorrent without any problems and dosent do anything like the checking etc.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Vishnu Rao.

[Vito_Corleone]

If you're really that worried, just change the listening port to some insanely high number that most scanners wouldn't hit. Then all you'd have to worry about are malicious users that you're connected to (but the only solution to that is to not use bt at all...). As everyone else said, there aren't any vulnerabilities YET.