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Changing default ports

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by sajohnson

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Is it possible to change the default port for Terminal Services in W2K (3389) to another number not being used and are there security advantages to doing this?

7 replies

by cavedweller

Usually you change ports by editing the services file. Changing port numbers can ward off casual intruders.

by cavedweller

On NT the services file is in \winnt\system32\drivers\etc. Services is a text file. If the application finds its port by searching the services file (unix does this) you can edit the file to change the port. If the port is compiled into the program you might not be able to change it. Check the registry too, the port setting might be in the software section. Another option is to run a firewall that does address translation (NAT). Firewalls are almost always a good idea if your network is connected to the outside world.

by sajohnson

I do not understand? Under W2K Services I have found no place to change this, do you mean the file its self (termsrv.exe)? If so how do I change that? Thanks!

by shmaltz

I don't think you can do it. Since the clients will never know that the port changed they will not be able to connect. Go with a firewall instead.

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