port forwarding & security level

[eda1]

[was orig sent to fios internetforum in error- I'm on a dsl line]

I've set up port forwarding for various services (mIRC, ftp, etc) on my Versalink gateway (Westell 327W router/modem). Ports are OK, Still, I can't access these when my firewall is set to "Typical Security" - I have to go down to Minimum for anything to get through. Is this the way it's supposed to work? I thought that port forwarding opened my selected ports in the firewall without compromising security otherwise. If I have to choose min. security, what's the point of port forwarding? Thanks for any feedback - ed

[dslr595148]

At this time I can't tell you about the Security Level setting, but I can answer this question

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@eda wrote:

What's the point of port forwarding?

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I point to the info at

grc.com's pure CSS menu (Research -> Recent -> NAT Router Security)

Direct URL: http://www.grc.com/nat/nat.htm

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But, it gets kind of weird.

For example, I point to the info at

DSLR (dslreports.com) ->  FAQs -> Verizon Online FiOS FAQ -> Troubleshooting -> What is the NAT Table problem in the Actiontec?

Direct URL: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/16233

^^^

[eda1]

Thanks, I'll check that out.  My query was picked up on the fios forum. You might like to check there:

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Port-forwarding-amp-security-level/td-p/368081

I hope to continue there, but am too busy tonight to mess around with the problem. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to get vback to it..

[dslr595148]

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@eda wrote:

Thanks, I'll check that out.  My query was picked up on the fios forum. You might like to check there:

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Port-forwarding-amp-security-level/td-p/368081

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Yeah, I saw that other thread sometime after I saw this one.