port forwarding for faster bit torrent downloads

[thefunfairvip]

Since getting uTorrent installed and having downloaded quite a bit of stuff , I wondered about speeding the process up . I did a bit of research and came across port forwarding. I followed the instructions (or at least I think I did) for adjustment of TCP ports in the custom window in zonealarm security suite to allow ports 6881 - 6889 as these are the torrent ports. I did this and went to access btjunkie through uTorrent but then Zonealram warned of a True Vector error and had to close. I then found that the antivirus had switched off and was prompted to download an update to restart the antivirus. I am not sure if I did something wrong (ie not follow the instructions properly) or if it was a system error of some sort. I unchecked the allow tcp ports box and restarted my computer, zonealarm was fine and the antivirus had come back on.

Whats the score here because it seemed like a straight forward process and the instructions gave no warning of this

Your thoughts appreciated..

[Sethioz]

MOVED: its more like a help request than security related

First of. it is not port forwarding, it is simply opening a port in zonealarm. If you open a port in zonealarm, then it is not for application, but it keeps it open at all times. You do not need to do that. All you need is to allow uTorrent once zonealarm pops up the window asking allow or deny the internet access.
Port forwarding is something you need to do in your router. if you do not have router (if you have cable modem without router), then you already have all ports open, if not, then you need to call your ISP and tell them to open ports for you.
NOTE that not all ISPs support open ports, some ISPs may ask you for extra money for open ports.
truevector is zonealarm's service, if it crashes then usually it is sign of some serious issue with your OS. truevector is the service that also monitors programs too (program control).

If you have closed ports (uTorrent says that its closed) then you need to deal with your router or ISP. if you are not sure what kind of connection you using, then do a simple test:
1. go on the IP Check page and check your ip
2. go to your 'network connections' and double click on your adapter (usuall Local Area Connection, depending on what you using)
3. now choose "support" tab and check your IP address there
- if IPs are same, then it means you have public IP and you do not need to open anything (if ports are closed, then its your ISP)
- if IP under "support" tab is something like 192.168.x.x, then you are behind NAT (you using a router) and you need to forward a port in your router/firewall.

NOTE - some modems may have built in firewall too, so you should check your modem/router settings.
how ? check the "Default Gateway" under "support" tab, then simply go to that page on your web browser. in most cases it's 192.168.0.254

[thefunfairvip]

The IP addresses are different 192.168.1.65 and 81.132.92.10 ( network connections and IP Check respectivley).
I'll report when I get further with the router firewall.

Thanks.

[Sethioz]

yep it means you are behind router. 81.132.92.10 < your external IP (this is between your router and internet, ISP - router) and 192.168.1.65 is between your router and your PC (PC - router). so you need to make your router to open ports for your PC.
Check the Default Gateway, this is your router's IP (router config page) and ofcourse it wants your user:pass (if you havent changed it then check your router guide for default combination). if you don't know much about your router then http://portforward.com/ has lots of guides on how to forward ports in specific router.