Why is this website accessing other ports in our computers?

I have every port in my computer blocked except for 80 to browse the internet. The only http website I can't access is AboveTopSecret.com.

It freezes when it gets to "Google Analytics" and won't load the website. This is because Google Analytics is trying to access one of the ports I blocked.

WHY? Why is AboveTopSecret.com accessing other ports in our computers besides port 80?

That's not kool man.

I wish I knew half of what you did about securing a machine,
in spite of your question

XD

Originally posted by Pervius
I have every port in my computer blocked except for 80 to browse the internet. The only http website I can't access is AboveTopSecret.com.

It freezes when it gets to "Google Analytics" and won't load the website. This is because Google Analytics is trying to access one of the ports I blocked.

WHY? Why is AboveTopSecret.com accessing other ports in our computers besides port 80?

That's not kool man.

Masons make it their business to know everything about you.
You should know that by now. Anyone who visits ATS should know that by now.
Your masturbation habits are being monitored as well.

good find im going to have to check that out definetly not cool..

reply to post by Pervius


Which port? I think you answered your own question though - it isn't ATS its the code behind Google Analytics which is how ATS tracks # of visitors.

"Sometimes it feels like...somebody's watching meeee!"

Don't know. I have noticed that my account stays logged on much longer (days)
If left not logged out.

Click here for more information.

Originally posted by Pervius
I have every port in my computer blocked except for 80 to browse the internet. The only http website I can't access is AboveTopSecret.com.

It freezes when it gets to "Google Analytics" and won't load the website. This is because Google Analytics is trying to access one of the ports I blocked.

WHY? Why is AboveTopSecret.com accessing other ports in our computers besides port 80?

That's not kool man.

As an experiment, I would try to visit other forum sites (whether a member or not) and see if your computer can access those sites or not. As a previous poster above me said, maybe google analytics is having trouble with this site because this site keeps track of the number of visitors to the site.

By the way, unless you are running a web server - no one is connecting to port 80 on your system. You have inbound connections and outbound connections. If you've blocked ALL outbound connections except port 80 then you would fail to connect to any secure content (https) on port 443.

ATS is not connecting to your port 80 though as an inbound connection to your system. You are connecting to port 80 on an ATS server.

reply to post by ararisq


Can programs from websites cause our computers to turn ports back on and phone home?

:*(

reply to post by Pervius

reply to post by KhufuKeplerTriangle


I guess it's possible to have a virus that could mess with your router settings (as you block ports on the router, not your computer) but in all my years I've never heard of such a thing..

A possible vector for this type of attack, though, would be to spoof a firmware update to the router. Cisco not that long ago pushed out a forced update to a certain few lines of routers, i think linksys models, that essentially disabled the router and forced the user to register and start managing the router from a "cloud" service.

Something like that but more nefarious is a possibility.

but......

I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say OP doesn't know what the hell he's doing security wise, that's just my opinion.

ATS is not connecting to your port 80 though as an inbound connection to your system. You are connecting to port 80 on an ATS server.

indeed. But what is Google doing? And besides, why on earth would you block all ports but 80, that would literally cripple everything but basic browsing when talking about your internet.

Hey, for craps and giggles, wanna post a screen shot or text log from your router that will show those of us who know what we are talking about what's really going on? External IP (the one facing the internet) should NOT be included, trust me.

Well the way I have been taught to understand it is the only consistent thing about ports is the receiving end.

For example, if you're surfing this website right now, I KNOW you're connecting to the destination port of 80. However, what port your computer is using to connect to this site (source port) could be ANYTHING! This is how you can surf multiple websites at the same time. Your computer knows which data goes to which window by the differing source ports.

Watch out for that horrible horrible horrible ransomware going around...

there is literally a virus (ransomware) that looks sort of like an FBI page, even uses their logo illegally,
and it tells you to "go to walmart or best buy to purchase a moneygram for 200 bucks" to restore access to your system!

It even uses your webcam for extra terror. Good thing ours had black tape.
What a nasty virus

I wonder if this is some of what SkepticOverlord meant by saying the interface IS broken and the re-design they are doing is bringing everything into modern standards compliance for websites.

I've got trending on my tablet here on my desk while I work on other things and it's the only area that effectively loads and runs on my tablet for any length of time. Where does it hang on new topics? Bingo....Google Analytics...yet it doesn't do this on my own sites where I use their system myself. Odd on that...

Maybe the big redesign for ATS will solve that issue as well. Thanks for the port tip though. That COULD very well be what has the Android Tablet almost laughing at me before it crashes on some of the ATS areas. Hmm...

reply to post by CaptGizmo

For example, if you're surfing this website right now, I KNOW you're connecting to the destination port of 80. However, what port your computer is using to connect to this site (source port) could be ANYTHING!

That's pretty accurate. The port the server is listening for connections on would be 80, or 443 if https. Your computer isn't using port 80 to connect to the server, port 80 is for incoming web traffic. In most cases your computer would be using a port in and above the 1024 range or way higher.

Ports in the low ranges like 80 and such are reserved for specific applications, while the higher ports are essentially a free for all.

As well keep in mind we talking about open and closed ports.....

A port is only "open" while in use. People talking about closing ports are really talking about blocking them, as msot of those ports are actually closed anyways, you are just severely limiting the options for the apps to use.

I use bittorrent, like many people, to download custom android roms, linux distros, etc etc...

I watch my ports and sometimes the range in use would be 1200, other times, 40.000, it's very subjective and really unless you know what you are doing, you should be weary of blocking ports, and for gods sake don't block any below 1024.

ZOMG! They're trying to use the most secret port. 443!

Otherwise known as HTTPS. You know. Like any secure site would? Shopping cart, banking, webmail, etc.

Do you access any of those sites? I guess not if you're blocking all incoming and outgoing on anything other than 80.

I'm pretty sure "they" can see you through your flat-screen though. Put on some pants.

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