port security

[Bglad]

I am running cable with Zone Alarm. I just downloaded Napster for the first time (now I know why the record companies are crying). Napster asks if you want to use a default port for up/downloading then you approve Napster in Zone Alarm. Doesn't this mean that anyone who knows you use Napster knows this port is open?? It does ask if you want to use a different port. Can I choose any port or will only certain ones work i.e. unused for some other purpose? That way, at least someone would have to hunt for the open port, right? I assume this theory is the same regardless of what software is accessing the net through Zone Alarm. OR... does ZA match the port to the software that is trying to use it and block the port for any other use?

Thanks for any help, kind of figuring all this out for the first time.

 

[KB]

That doesn't mean the port is open for anyone to come in. Zone Alarm should still prevent all traffic to that port with the exception of Napster traffic.


<< does ZA match the port to the software that is trying to use it and block the port for any other use?
>>

that sounds about right!