Ok, so I need some help. My dad thinks that Graal is unsafe and could have security holes, and that some server owner could give me a worm to steal our information. He says “When you connect to a server, you have to open certain ports on your computer, which leaves a hole for viruses / worms to get through and possibly steal our info, and gives it access (the server) to your harddrive” I could really use some help on explaining to him that this is not true, so as to let me keep playing Graal. It would be helpful for ANY info please, and I will be very very grateful.
UPDATE: Just as a sidenote for anyone who was wondering why I'm using my dads computer, is that im a teenager lol.
Yes, running a server is a potential security risk. You open sockets, which can be used by other programs to gain access to your machine. You're also running potentially 'unsafe' software (however, being opensource, at least if you compile it yourself and check the code you can tell if its safe or not). Also, you're broadcasting your IP, leaving yourself prone to people who grab that information to cause DOS attacks or send viruses.
Bare in mind as well, not all ISPs allow for running servers, and can be well within their rights to terminate your service with them if you're found to be hosting a server. Running on windows too is a bad idea as well (an no, thats not an anti microsoft statement) - user access to memory isn't very restricted and can potentially be exploited by sending duff packets to take control of the machine. Running under linux is a lot more secure due to limiting user access to memory (assuming you're not an idiot running under root). Leaving a computer unattended too could be considered insecure, and many other things.
So yes, running a server is a potential risk. If you're intending on doing it for a long period of time, you should really look into making it as secure as possible and clearing it with your ISP. Also be sure to keep important documents and information in secure locations.
Thank you for that piece of advice, I bet all people can find this helpful, but my dad thinks PLAYING graal is unsafe, and I need a backup for my opinion that there is little or no chance someone can / will hack our computer.
Again, playing graal has many similar openings as running the server (broadcasting an IP, requiring an open port, etc), but would generally be more secure. However, due to its closed source nature, theres no guantee the client you have hasn't got a virus attached to it, or has some backdoor programmed in by unix in teh olden days. Then again, its really no less secure than any other game or online piece of software, so… mehh…
Just make sure you have a good firewall and anti virus software, and keep important documents encrypted, preferably under other user accounts. Also, when doing high security things, such as online banking, close any and all online software that isn't related to it, you just don't know what could be logging data nowadays (though that may be going a little too far).
Plus Graal was known to yoink all your info and crap into horribly unencrypted files.
But you shouldn't have to worry about Graal Reborn, only Graal.net, hahaha.
Edit: Sounds like your father is a former Graalian LOL
Graal.net was the home to many of Graal Online's security leaks.
I have never used Graal.net, and as such, completely immune from any consequences of Graal.net attacks
Meaning:[list]
[]I have never had my personal Info Leaked
[]I have never had my E-mail Address added to Graal.net related Spam-Bot lists.
[*]I have never had the security on my Graal account compromised.
[/list]
I think what he means is that his father believes that Graal, the game, is a security risk and he needs combattable proof that Graal will not compromise his system.
Tell your father to get the most powerful anti-virus he can find, check the source code and put up all firewalls.
Something tells me that he's not going to believe what we, the users, are going to say. He's going to have to test its integrity, himself.
