I want to run a web server to serve a couple of pages to myself when I'm at work. However, I don't want to get cut off by my ISP. I'm using port 8181. Would using a vpn disguise the connection? Hamachi maybe?
2007-03-19 16:34:58 · 6 answers · asked by mlangley 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Yes, they can port scan you...but you can certainly set your web server to only respond to a certain IP address or range. With IIS, this is pretty easy....with Apache, slightly harder.
You can also restrict access to that port from a decent software or hardware firewall
And honestly, your ISP probably doesn't give a hoot if you serve a few pages to yourself. However, they don't even need to port scan you...they can simply monitor and analyze the incoming traffic to your network.
But if you're the only one who needs access to the web server, then running a VPN would certainly disguise the HTTP traffic. On the other hand, your employer might block IKE (VPN) traffic....but give Hamachi a try. I haven't tested it out myself, but it looks like it does NAT-T (NAT Traversal), which is important if you or your employer use NAT (Network Address Translation) in your networks.
2007-03-19 17:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by makeda m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, running a VPN wouldn't help, since the people trying to get to your web page would also have to load-up and configure the VPN software as well.
To answer your first question, all your ISP would have to do is NMAP scan your address and find that you have services responding on that port. Scanning 8181 ports doesn't take that long, and if its automated, they don't have to sit around waiting for it to finish.. they just wait for their daily email with violators to disconnect.
Try finding some cheap or free web server provider. There are some that are like only $90 a year...
good luck,
Annorax64
2007-03-19 16:44:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No a VPN will not help you run a webserver.
As mentioned, changing your webserver's port is a good start. One thing I can think of is that your ISP might scan for is the protocol type. If they are scanning for packets containing http they might figure out that your running a webserver. Other then that change the port number and see if they send you a nasty gram
2007-03-20 05:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by d_mas_2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can set your server up to use any port you wish. I use 82. As long as it doesn't interfere with another service, you should be fine with any port.
As long as you are just hosting for yourself and not causing too much traffic, your ISP shouldn't have any issues.
Another thing to consider. Most ISP's issue dynamic IP addresses to the "internet" interface to your router, so if you use (example) http://201.2.2.2:82 to get to your web server, that may not work a day or two later. Best solution is to use a dynamic hosting service like http://www.tzo.com They can provide dynamic hosting to a subdomain of thiers or to your own domain name.. for a fee of course....
As far as using VPN, depending on your works network security policy, you may not be able to VPN out of your corp network... you may also not be able to access resuources on uncommon ports.. Again, that all depends on how your corp firewall is configured.
Hope that helps!
2007-03-19 17:02:00 · answer #4 · answered by tbone703 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
VPN or not, there is still only one modem!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They can see all the traffic to and from the modem
2007-03-19 16:42:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't have to do anything... just make sure that your FIREWALL allows the other port...
2007-03-19 17:15:01 · answer #6 · answered by Amrit S. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋