What is an open port or proxy?
Open ports could potentially allow someone to establish a connection to your computer allowing them to access or manipulate your files or place code on your computer such as a virus or trojan. Misconfigured proxies can allow someone to send email or Internet traffic through someone else’s Internet connection to mask their actions. Usually misconfigured proxies are utilized for illegal activities or for sending spam. Most commonly, home users won’t have a misconfigured proxy on their computer unless Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is used. If you are being told you have a misconfigured proxy it’s most likely a problem at your ISP and you should contact them first. If you are logging in at work, using the corporate network, you should notify the IT Department that there is a misconfigured proxy so they can correct the problem. Be sure you have a good story for why you were chatting at work! In most other cases a firewall such as can close most open ports and further protect your system
