Can I just clarify something, I think one of the posters touched on this above.

My initial setup of LW was automatic port configuration by LW using UPnP. I have been able to DL and UL with no problems but it would be impossible for anyone to connect direct with my computer. This is confirmed in both Search -> Direct Connect (message reads "Your computer is behind a firewall or router and cannot receive direct connections", plus the Bug Report test reports ""Recieved incoming this session" False.

Following the instructions about manual configuration, I added TCP/UDP for Gnutella, opening the ports. Upon restarting LW, and clicking Search -> Direct Connect instead of the firewall message I get instructions on how to get friends to connect and in the bug report it now reads "Recieved incoming this session" True. The main thing though - downloading appears to be MUCH faster - at least 3 times faster, probably more. Am I imagining this bit or has manually configuring the ports done this? It was downloading before but it was quite slow at times (perhaps I couldn't download from all sources because I was firewalled?).

I haven't changed the "Use UPnP" router configuration. Should I change this to Manual Port Forward?

Is the way I've now configured LW a better option. Can someone tell me if opening ports like this is safe? I'm using Zone Alarm and all that ever asked me when I first set up LW was whether I wanted LW to both access the internet and to act as a server - I clicked to permanently allow both.

Again, sorry for the lengthy post, I'm really new to all this. Is my computer safe with the current configurations?

Robert