That kind of check isn't 100% correct. Routers open up ports all the time in response to simply using it. The way connections work is that when a program makes an outgoing one, it uses what's called an "ephemeral port", that is, a random port. Routers generally open up those ports for incoming access.

all right thanks I'll still keep checking tho

Please forgive me I am brand new to networking and was concerned about computers running on my home network and any security issuers that might arise from using LW on my network

if you REALLY would like a detail look at whats opening ports.. do this:

start > run > cmd.exe <enter>

now type in the black dos window:

netstat -a -b -v


now it should look like this:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\*your account*>netstat -a -b -v

Proto Local Address Foreign Address State PID
TCP NETWORK-93BA05E:http NETWORK-93BA05E:0 LISTENING 2000
[Apache.exe]

TCP NETWORK-93BA05E:epmap NETWORK-93BA05E:0 LISTENING 1100
c:\windows\system32\WS2_32.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RPCRT4.dll
c:\windows\system32\rpcss.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
-- unknown component(s) --
[svchost.exe]

TCP NETWORK-93BA05E:microsoft-ds NETWORK-93BA05E:0 LISTENING
...etc

if you dont want it to resolve hosts, or use names of ports, just use the -n option, this forces the numerical option which makes everything has a name back into its number form:


C:\Documents and Settings\*your account*>netstat -a -b -v -n
Active Connections

Proto Local Address Foreign Address State PID
TCP 0.0.0.0:80 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING 2000
[Apache.exe]


this will give you LOTS of stats on what programs and services have activated a port.

if you want to know what is being sent over these ports, download ethereal and its required winpcap ethernet library at http://ethereal.com/

you can learn some interesting things about networks by just sniffing

thank you

I got my first taste of this today. Replaced the buggy cheapo router I'd be using for nine months with a new Linksys (WAG54g), and when I launched 4.9.6 just now it automatically configured the forwarding ports (6346 and 6348) on it. As a result, for the first time since I have been using a router it is running as an ultrapeer again.

And then there are the incredible downloading speeds I have been getting... I am impressed -- LimeWire just keeps getting beter and better...