Does port forwarding done for Bittorrent , leave my machine vulnerable ?

Question

I have started using Bittorrent recently and am using uTorrent as my client program.
As part of setup I enabled port forwarding on a particular port on my computer. I think this needs to be done for seeding to happen, right ? i.e. for other users to be able to access files i share from my computer.
I am connected to the Internet using an ADSL connection.Now,i would like to know that if person with malicious intent knows the port on my machine where i have port forwarding enabled and my ip address then can that person break into my machine using that port and my ip ?.
I am really concerned about this security threat so plz tell me whether this is possible or not and if yes how do i protect myself ?

Thanks a lot :)

Answer 1

When you play with fire, (P2P), you have opened yourself up for all kinds of risk. Yes is the answer to your question. Any person with hacking knowledge and has your IP address can break into your pc and steal all your data. Plus you are also running the risk of major infections with P2P, especially when the data passes from person to person and many servers in between.

"Bittorent is legal, what is not legal is the programs that you download like music, games or other software that has a copyright and a registration key. The risk is yours to take.

Minddoctor, France

Answer 2

Yes. That's what other people are FOR. I do things at home. At the office, I'm all about being served. And I say that with two syllables - ser. ved. More regal that way.