If a port scan attack found an open port scan, Can the attacker download/see files from your computer?

Question

if a attack port scanned your computer and found open ungaurded ports.. can this attacker see/download/hack files in your computer?

Just curious because i remember reading it was impossible to take controll of someones computer with JUSt an ip... id understand if they had a trojan or something but not just by ip.

So what happens if the attacker finds an open port?

to clearify...

Im asking if an attacker CAN comprimise my files by downloading or seeing them on my computer just using my ip and a port scan....

Answer 1

Yes, an attacker can exploit the open port and download data from your computer. I recommend you install a firewall on your computer. The function of a firewall is to monitor both incoming and outgoing traffic between your computer and the Internet. A firewall, when it detects suspicous activity, can block traffic between your computer and the internet. For example, you visited a malicious website which manages to infect your computer with a Trojan Horse. The Trojan Horse scans your computer searches for sensitive files (i.e. passwords and user's ids) and then tries to send the information back to the malicious website. The firewall would detect the unauthorized connection and block it. There are plenty of good free firewalls available so you don't need to spend money. I recommend Sunbelt - Kerio, ZoneAlarm or Jetico firewall. All are free and you can download them from www.filehippo.com

Answer 2

yes a firewall will stop them and if you have a router that will
help to , the thing is your computer has open ports to communicate with the net , for instance when you visit a site
there are 20 ports open for that at least and also your
operating system has ports open for communication thats
why a firewall will block unauthorized access to those ports
and tell the attacker those ports do not exist meaning
your pc is invisible , so get a firewall there is one built
into windows thats on by default , but better yet get the free
www.comodo.com their firewall is ranked number 1 by
pc magazine beating even zone alarm.

Answer 3

those port scans are actually a relentless historic past 'noise', created by using automatic bots searching for open ports, which, if any are stumbled on, make further tries to leverage weaknesses. it somewhat is the universal reason to continually have a sturdy firewall. turn off those notifications (in eset clever protection settings) or you will pass nuts.

Answer 4

That is like asking, "If you undress in front of the Window, will someone see you?"
We have no idea if your data has been compromised just because you have open ports. However, if you dont want someone to see you naked, dont undress in front of the window. And if you dont want your data compromised, dont make it available to compromise. A good way to do that is to dump Windows and get a good open source operating system such as www.kubuntu.org