If port forwarding is not enabled, the traffic for servers will get stuck at your router and it won’t ever reach the desired device on your local network. An attackers’ task is relatively easy once they can enter the network they want to attack. Ethernet LANs are susceptible to attack because the switch ports are hospitable by default.

To take total control of the switch ports, the user can access a feature called port forwarding. It prevents an unauthorised user accessing these ports, and increases the safety by an extra layer..

Before Port Forwarding:

Before you plough ahead and enable router port forwarding, you need to assign a static IP to your machine. This is because once you forward a port, you will need to specify the IP address of the device where the traffic should be routed to. This should be the device you would like to receive traffic on.

Port Forwarding For Combat:

The first step is to perform a port scan to spot the visibility of your company’s ports on the web. It is just the same as a malicious person would do to identify your weaknesses. In order to secure a port, here is what you have to do:

In case any unauthorised access is observed, the traffic should be discarded by using the  appropriate action. This will allow the user to be able to produce a log message so that the unauthorised access can be easily observed.

Reasons to use Port Forwarding:

Port forwarding is quite versatile and can serve several different functions that range from improved security and blocking unwanted access, to playing video games, managing home camera access, and more. There is also the benefit of remote access to a computer and protecting yourself or your network from prying eyes.

1)     Preserves IP Addresses

Port Forwarding is an excellent way to protect your public IP addresses. It will keep unwanted traffic off networks, protect servers and clients from unwanted access without permission.

2)     Helps To Restrict

It will help to “restrict” the services and servers available on a network, and limit access to devices connected to and from a network. Also, it allows using one IP address for all the external communication on the web; while dedicating multiple servers with different IP addresses.

3)     Different Port

Port forwarding can also be used if you want a  specified client port to be reserved for an additional purpose, and therefore the client will choose a special port. For example, suppose the client already uses port 3389 for a special application. In this case, you can use port forwarding to map an alternative port on the client to the server’s port 3389.

4)     Gaming Uses

Some gamers forward ports to make a stable reference to a server. For instance, you are a gamer who wishes to use a P2P server to place in files or updates. Then through port forwarding, you can connect your computer or console directly to the game server.

Also, forwarding ports is best for you if you would like to send or receive files from your friend’s computer. This will allow you to play the same games but on a different server. In addition, port forwarding will help you in setting up your own personal server.

Cancel Port Forwarding:

Whilst utilising the method, it is possible to spot a port whose existence isn’t clear. For these cases, it is recommended to cancel port forwarding, documenting such intervention.

After the intervention, install a monitoring window with which to handle any activity which is compromising  your business. Taking these precautions, if necessary, it becomes possible to restore the redirection quickly.

Takeaway:

Remember that port forwarding is safe as long as you have a security firewall or a VPN connection on your computer or network. If you have any other concerns or doubts, just give us a call on 1300 016 017 for port forwarding services.

Port forwarding Maps external IP addresses and ports to Internal IP addresses and ports allowing access to internal services from the web. It is configured on home routers, and it is necessary because home routers use NAT, which isolates the house network from the web.