Is Port Forwarding Safe? Here Is the Answer!

What is port forwarding?

Port forwarding helps computers outside your home network connect to a computer or server inside it. It lets another computer access yours through your network, which normally handles traffic for many devices. With port forwarding, you can tell your router to send certain types of traffic to specific devices, like your PC or Xbox.

Imagine your friend wants to control your computer from their place, not yours. They'd need to connect to your computer using a special number called a port. This number, like 3389, lets services know where to send information. So, when your friend tries to connect, their request goes through this port.

But for this to work, your router needs to know where to send requests coming through that port. If it doesn't, your friend won't be able to connect. That's where port forwarding comes in—it helps your router understand where to send incoming requests.

How does port forwarding work?

Ports help computers manage various services running on a single device. By using ports, a device can handle many different tasks and services. Each task or service has its own unique port number. For instance, email servers often use port 587, while websites typically use port 80.

There are over 65,000 ports available, but only around 1,000 are commonly used. The rest can be assigned to specific devices or applications as needed. This assignment process is known as port forwarding.

Understanding NAT (Network Address Translation) is crucial to grasp how port forwarding operates. Let's simplify with an analogy.

Imagine your home network as a neighborhood, and your external IP address is like the neighborhood's main street, let's call it Daisy Lane. Each device in your network, like your computer, is a house on Daisy Lane.

Now, think of ports as the doors to these houses. Your computer, located at 1234 Daisy Lane, has around 65,000 doors (ports). If, say, door 22 is open (representing a service like SSH), it means that port 22 on 1234 Daisy Lane is unlocked.

Types of port forwarding

Port forwarding comes in various types, each serving specific purposes. Let's break them down:

• Local Port Forwarding: This type is handy when you need to retrieve data from a destination that your device can't directly access, but an intermediate device does. It works by pulling data from the remote destination to your local device through the intermediary.

• Remote Port Forwarding: Here, your device becomes visible to other remote devices or the internet. Data flows from your device to a remote destination server and then back to your device through a specified port. With remote forwarding, anyone on the internet or a remote device can access your device.

• Dynamic Port Forwarding: Think of this as an advanced version of local port forwarding. It allows any program on your device to utilize the SSH tunnel and access any remote destination port, all through just one port on your end. Dynamic port forwarding operates by creating a proxy mechanism, enabling versatile connectivity.

What is port forwarding used for?

While port forwarding may sound like a technical task reserved for IT pros and programmers, its utility extends to a broader audience of computer users.

Here are some common scenarios where port forwarding comes in handy:

• Hosting Game Servers: Allows multiplayer gaming accessible from outside your home network.
• Remote Desktop Access: Enables accessing your computer remotely.
• File Transfers: Permits sending files from your computer to external networks.
• Hosting Websites: Runs a publicly-accessible website from your home computer.
• Torrenting: Facilitates quick file downloads using torrent applications.
• VPN Hosting: Sets up a VPN server for accessing your home network from remote locations.

Is port forwarding safe?

Is port forwarding safe? port forwarding security has long been a concern for users as it grants external entities greater access to your computer. By enabling port forwarding, you essentially bypass Network Address Translation (NAT), which safeguards your devices from external threats.

When you selectively disable NAT through port forwarding, you open up your chosen device to direct connections from the broader internet. For example, if you port forward a remote desktop connection, anyone worldwide can potentially connect to your computer if they have the password or exploit vulnerabilities.

To ensure safety while using port forwarding, it's crucial to exercise caution and follow these tips:

• Use Strong Passwords: Secure your connections with robust passwords. Consider employing key-based authentication for added security, especially with protocols like SSH tunnels. 
• Update Devices Promptly: Keep your devices up-to-date with the latest software patches and updates. Timely updates help mitigate vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
• Limit Exposure: Avoid exposing more services than necessary through port forwarding. Each additional service increases the risk of a cyberattack against your computer.

How to set up port forwarding on router

Now you have the answers to the question "Is port forwarding dangerous", it’s time to realize how to perform port forwarding. Follow the steps below to learn how to operate.  

Part 1. Preparation work

1. Find the router IP address (Default Gateway)

Step 1. Search "cmd" in the search box and then right-click and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 2. Type "ipconfig" and then locate the Default Gateway line in the following picture and enter it into the browser.  

2. Find the username and password

Method 1. Find the username and password behind the router.

Method 2. Find the username and the password according to the following information.

Part 2. Concrete steps for setting up port forwarding

Step 1. Open a web browser. Then type your router’s IP address into the address bar. 

Step 2. A privacy warning will appear. Just click Advanced > Proceed to continue.

Step 3. Next, enter your router’s username and password in the box. Click on "Log in".

Step 4. Click on "Port Forwarding/Port Triggering" on the left pane.  Create a new port forwarding rule and click "Add", and choose "Add Custom Service".

Step 5. In the Port Forwarding interface, give your device a name and enter the port number you wish to forward in the port field (if you're not sure which protocol to use, choose "TCP/UDP" or "Both" under Service Type).

Step 6. Then enter the internet IP address of the device you want to port forward, and then click "Apply" to save the changes.

Step 7. Finally, save your settings.

Bonus tip: Access remote computer over the internet without port forwarding

Port forwarding is relatively complicated to set up and use. If you prefer not to use port forwarding for remote access to another computer over the internet and looking for an easier solution, consider using remote desktop software as an alternative. AnyViewer is a great option.

AnyViewer enables remote access to another computer without the need for complex port forwarding configurations. With AnyViewer, you can securely connect to a remote computer from anywhere in the world, making it a convenient solution for remote access needs.

With AnyViewer, security is paramount, incorporating robust measures such as asymmetric ECC 256-bit end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication to ensure data protection and user privacy.

★Features:

Unattended remote access: Set up unattended access to easily connect to remote computers without requiring someone to be present at the other end.

File transfer: Seamlessly transfer files between your devices during remote sessions, facilitating efficient collaboration and data exchange.

Multiple remote sessions: Simultaneously connect to and control multiple remote computers or devices, streamlining multitasking and productivity.

Mobile device access: Access and control mobile devices from your computer or vice versa, enhancing flexibility and productivity.

Remote reboot: Restart the remote computer remotely, resolving issues that may require a system reboot without needing physical access.

Screen walls: Monitor and manage multiple selected devices on one window.

...

Step 1. Launch AnyViewer on both computers. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. Fill in the signup information.

Step 2. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you've logged in to.

Step 3. If you have logged in to the same AnyViewer account on the two devices, then you can achieve a direct connection by clicking One-click control. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, while port forwarding offers invaluable connectivity benefits, the question of "is port forwarding safe?" looms large. Its capacity to expose devices to the broader internet demands cautious implementation. Balancing the convenience of remote access with security measures like strong passwords and timely updates is paramount.

Additionally, alternative solutions like AnyViewer provide secure remote access without the complexities of port forwarding, offering users a safer and more user-friendly option for managing network connections.