LAN and port forwarding

[Titanpilot321]

Bear with me here gents, im not very good with tech stuff, but do i need to port forward to run a virtual LAN server with my friends using software like zero tier?

[Soviet]

DON"T use virtual LAN servers they make a MASSIVE gap in your security and can come with a bunch of other unwanted things.
I would advise learning how to port foward. It's not hard, the hardest part is getting into your router. If you need help let me know

[Soviet]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzP1FGu82nw
This might also help you out.

[Sgt Smash]

If doing the above use a VPN as it will expose you IP!

Check to see if UPnP works ingame

Or use Hamachi if it's only a small number of you.
https://www.vpn.net/

[Soviet]

Originally posted by Sgt Smash:

If doing the above use a VPN as it will expose you IP!

Check to see if UPnP works ingame

Or use Hamachi if it's only a small number of you.
https://www.vpn.net/

It would be safer for someone to have your IP than to use hamachi. Do some research into LAN over network programs like hamachi.

[Soviet]

But yes a VPN or using a virtual private server would also help.

[Sgt Smash]

Originally posted by TokeGod:

Originally posted by Sgt Smash:

If doing the above use a VPN as it will expose you IP!

Check to see if UPnP works ingame

Or use Hamachi if it's only a small number of you.
https://www.vpn.net/

It would be safer for someone to have your IP than to use hamachi. Do some research into LAN over network programs like hamachi.

Have you done any research into hamachi specifically?

[Soviet]

Originally posted by Sgt Smash:

Originally posted by TokeGod:

It would be safer for someone to have your IP than to use hamachi. Do some research into LAN over network programs like hamachi.

Have you done any research into hamachi specifically?

it basically adds the conntected computers to the local network, allowing anyone connected to view shared devices so can almost be certain it leaves you vulnerable.
port fowarding is much safer.

[Sgt Smash]

Originally posted by TokeGod:

Originally posted by Sgt Smash:

Have you done any research into hamachi specifically?

it basically adds the conntected computers to the local network, allowing anyone connected to view shared devices so can almost be certain it leaves you vulnerable.
port fowarding is much safer.

So you're saying AES 256-bit encryption is not safe?

[Sora]

It has nothing to do with encryption. But the fact that it allows a computer into your LAN. As with all VPNs if they're not properly configured it allows people to access your system through a file browser, I'm pretty sure windows 10 requires a password auth now, but even so, it allows local services running to be accessed. Or even allows brute forcing passwords between computers on your LAN / main system where hamachi or any VPN is..

The easiest way to be secure is to disable internet access but port forwarding as it is only allows that specific port(s) and it only becomes a security risk at that point if the software has a vulnerability in it. Where as a VPN is basically attaching a new untrusted device to your LAN.

[Rekkless]

If you're not actually playing Over LAN why use virtual LAN programs? Just enable UPNP on your router, enable UPNP in game and make sure your anti-vrus/firewall has given permissions to ArmA 3. It is super easy.

[Titanpilot321]

i appreciate your replies everyone, i have spent hours upon hours port forwarding and it has not worked, and i do know how to do it as i have done it before but it would simply not work this time. Ive had no luck with UPnP either, maybe it is my anti virus ill check that but if it doesnt work ill be using hamachi or zero tier. Im aware of the security threats but at the same time i only plan to host this server for some of my IRL friends whom i trust, people i would have at an actual house lan party