JeevesBond — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:07:31 +0000

fifeclub wrote: Just the default Windows XP Firewall. Better than nothing.

True, but not that much better.

You should at least get a hardware firewall and make sure your machine has all the Microsoft updates installed. I doubt anything will happen either way, it's all down to whether you're willing to take the risk.

The dog appears to be trying to sleep. The cam's working well though, that's certain.

fifeclub — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:40:11 +0000

Just the default Windows XP Firewall. Better than nothing.

JeevesBond — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:42:36 +0000

fifeclub wrote: Would you be concerned with the way it is set up right now (directly to my only computer)?

Hmmm, you're taking a chance. I would be concerned, although that doesn't mean anything will happen.

Have you not got a firewall at all?

fifeclub — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:19:28 +0000

Thanks for the response, both here and the other thread.

Here's an indirect link to the webcam, but here are a few warnings first:

It's most likely just pointing at my dogs butt.
It's only on from 9am-midnight GMT-5
It has a timeout limit of 2 minutes per session
I may have a dynamic IP and not know it, so this link may not work forever.

Unfortunately I'm pretty lost with all the technical stuff you mentioned so I don't think I can do any of those extra security things you suggested. Would you be concerned with the way it is set up right now (directly to my only computer)?

Thanks again.

JeevesBond — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 23:02:12 +0000

fifeclub wrote: My question is about security. Is it a risk for me to publicize this url?

Yes. It's also a risk to even connect to the Internet, the simple rule is: the more functionality, the higher the risk.

fifeclub wrote: Does giving away my IP address open me up for hack attacks?

I wouldn't worry about that. If you're trying to make yourself secure you should assume your IP address is plastered on billboards all over every major city in the world with the slogan: '71.71.536.128 -- HACK ME!' Be paranoid and remember: security through obscurity is rarely effective.

If I were you I'd set this webcam up on an old machine, where it doesn't matter if some cracker destroys it, get a firewall and port forward to the webcam using NAT. If you have multiple services on one machine (like a webcam, webserver etc.) put the machine in a 'DMZ' on the firewall, this means the firewall will not block anything bound for that machine.

I answered your other post: sorry I didn't notice it sooner.

brady.k — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:14:28 +0000

Well.... any site that you visit has access to that IP address. Now, the 8081 port is what you'll have to look at.

I'm not familiar with webcams, but I'm assuming there's some sort of permissions/acceptance-of-access protocol? If that's true, then you will want to look in (most likely) creating specific rules within your firewall for that port.

So, yes and no. It can be dangerous if that port is wide open... but otherwise you should be ok.