Security in being Dom3 host

[JaydedOne]

So, I'm going to be hosting a dom3 multiplayer game. This means leaving a laptop on 24/7 with a persistent internet connection, something I generally don't do. I'm debating whether I want to do this with my regular machine, something that occasionally has work material on it which is of a highly sensitive nature, or with my spare laptop. My question then is this:

a) What sort of security risk am I at in so doing?
b) What measures can I take to allow for Dom3 hosting while preserving maximum security otherwise?

[Archonsod]

1. Depends really. If it's a generic home based machine, probably marginally more than simply having it connected to the net. If it's based in the pentagon with a machine name like "National Secrets storage device" then probably more of a risk.

2. Make sure your firewall is configured correctly (i.e. only open/forward the port(s) your dominions server is using). If possible, run from an account with limited priveleges (and make sure the admin/root account is password protected). Make sure your antivirus is up to date too.

To be honest, the risk of being hacked is fairly slim, unless your clearly connected to a corporate organisation or similar. The biggest threat is being infected by a worm or similar virus, which a decent AV should be able to take care of. Then again, depending on the machine manufacturer, the biggest risk may well be hardware failure

[Agrajag]

Well, my computer is on 24/7 with a presistant internet connection, and so far haven't suffered even a tiny bit from that.
Then again, my internet goes through a firewall and a router.

[Tortanick]

Weather the laptop is Windows or Linux makes a big diffrence. Just how powerfull is this laptop? for total security you could run VMware player (freeware) and have a virtual Linux OS host the game while denying all access from the net to the windows OS.

[Archonsod]

The OS doesn't really make much difference. Linux is as easy to hack as Windows, and you still need a good AV protection.

[Gandalf Parker]

I run internet servers and I host a security site. (and I host many Dom games)

I dont think you are adding any problems.
The security problems come from
A) being on the net
B) being on the net 24/7
C) having an IP that doesnt change often
D) running any server service (that doesnt mean outgoing activity, but things that people outside can connect to)

Dominions isnt so well known that the dominions game itself has any exploits. So the fact that you are running a dominions server isnt likely to get you any more attention or problems than you what you already had. You will be announcing yourself here and that will make you known, but that doesnt tend to cause problems. Nearly all attacked sites are found by running sequentially thru the IP groups of known services.

Gandalf Parker

[Gandalf Parker]

Archonsod said:
The OS doesn't really make much difference. Linux is as easy to hack as Windows, and you still need a good AV protection.

Actually Linux is easier to hack (manually) but harder to crack (by automation) which is why linux doesnt tend to have the problems that windows does.

[NTJedi]

JaydedOne said:
So, I'm going to be hosting a dom3 multiplayer game. This means leaving a laptop on 24/7 with a persistent internet connection, something I generally don't do. I'm debating whether I want to do this with my regular machine, something that occasionally has work material on it which is of a highly sensitive nature, or with my spare laptop. My question then is this:

a) What sort of security risk am I at in so doing?
b) What measures can I take to allow for Dom3 hosting while preserving maximum security otherwise?

Depends on your operating system, but precautions can be taken to make your important stuff more safe.