Just an update for you caperjack, I ran TcpView (I typically only used Active-Ports) and I noticed that Sygate Pro was actually holding port 1025 open. As soon as I exited the firewall the port...

Well, just by examining the registry entry (the tail end of them) you can see which services are being disabled. Too many for me to name here, but some of them present true security threats. Aka,...

Yes, another satisfied customer! :D

I'd love to see a hacker get into a machine with 0 services running and 0 ports open. I think I can hear them crying right now! :D

Share the wealth with...

Awesome!!

Would you care to tell us how many open ports still remain on your box? Hopefully little to none. :)

If I'm guessing correctly there should either be none, or port 1025 UDP. <-- I...

Anytime. :cool:

fax service
ftp publishing services
iis admin (i think)
remote registry (anything remote makes me nervous)

Ok, I went and looked, and these are the ones that I believe your XP-pro boxes have...

Yes, especially if you have no special need of certain services. Disabling the ones I have mentioned here will cause no harm. I have been using this one for quite some time.

I must add though, if...

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FixBlast.exe

That is the link you need fish.

And on the registry entry, be sure to include the line that says "Windows Registry Editor Version...

Ok, what that will do is shutdown known useless services in the services manager. If you want to see where the changes will be made type in services.msc in the run prompt.

Not only does that...

Normally what I would do is use Partition Magic to cut out a chunk for linux. 4 or 5 gigs is all I would use normally.

I know Redhat is very good about detecting Windows partions and it will make...

I know my post might seem a little overwhelming, but in reality the steps are very simple.

To find notepad just hit: Start-> Programs--> Accessories Just look around half way down that list.
...

What? Just read it again bro, I'm sure when you do, you will see the gold in it. Someone back me up here would ya? :!:

Just take what I posted up there inside the quotes and paste it inside...

It helps because many of those processes you are seeing are tied to a service. Learning which ones to shut off will help you in reducing the amount of processes running.

I'll just share with you...

Edit:

Actually, VPN's can be established over the public internet.

That's how I have my router, and my firewall. Just incase those crafty hackers come up with something to fool the SPI at the router.:cool:

[off topic]
I'm telling ya, Sygate is highly...

Ok, your title states: "Hiding IP addy for WAN traffic?"

To my knowledge, your not going to be able to do this, the best you can do is encrpyt the data no?

Whether or not your ip is static or...