Port 445 Question

[xaros]

Hello to all...
For security reasons,i have disabled the following in my XP SP 1 box:
Network Connections-....File and Printer Sharing
Network Connections-....NetBios over TCP/IP
TCP/IP NetBios Helper Service
Server Service
Computer Browser Service

So,ports 137,138 and 139 are closed.Only 445 is still open.
While googling,almost everyone mentioned setting the extra registry key
"HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters" to null,
some others also mentioned Device Manager-Show Hidden Devices-
NetBios over TCP/IP-Driver-Startup Type:Disabled.
What nobody mentioned is what happens if someone closes also the port 445:
yes,i won't be able to share my stuff
(big deal,ssl-ftp or ssh cover me for that),but just in case,
will i still be able to map external shares in xp/2000 boxes,
or access linux samba shares?
What i mean is:closing the final port 445 prevents someone from accessing my box,
or does it also render me unable to access external shares,either win32 or *nix?

Thanks in advance for any reply...

[CrazyM]

Hi xaros

... and welcome to Wilders :)

If you want to share files/map drives you will need to leave one of the options available.

The Advantages of Direct Hosting of SMB over TCP/IP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315267)

How to configure file sharing in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040)

If you are behind a router, these file sharing services/ports will not be exposed to the Internet.

Regards,

CrazyM

[Tom772]

Hi, xaros sorry to ask another quesktion in your thread, but i was wondering do you still need ANY netbios port open if you are behind a network or a proxy server? Thanx , T