Ark Dedicated Server

[CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE]

can someone explain or add me to discord and explain and teach me how to create a dedicated server free without downloading some skatchy apps and that i really need to play with my bro

[dagger]

https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Dedicated_server_setup

[CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE]

can we go like discord because its my first time and i dont understand a lot of it so i can ask you something please?

[william_es]

Better to read and learn. There are some things you need to learn by trying to do them yourself, through trial and error. If you can't understand the instructions on the wiki, then it's likely that you simply lack a knowledge base to understand any advice given. So you need to get that first.

[🦊 Hermit]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=656433788

I'm not particularly knowledgeable about computers, but this guide really helped me to learn the basics of running a server when I first started playing the game. I have since ran home servers for multiple groups of friends, co-owned/admined a paid server for a Discord group, and learned a lot more, based on this foundation. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Bones]

Ark Server Manager is not a sketchy app rofl

[CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE]

is it safe to enable port forwarding?

[dagger]

Originally posted by vvasilije:

is it safe to enable port forwarding?

Anytime you are exposing devices to the Internet and hosting services you are increasing the risk to the device.

The server should have the lastest operating system updates, antivirus, etc at the minimum to keep the risk to the minimum.

I run an appliance firewall with a cloud based intrusion prevention system on the outside of my network and keep the server on a different VLAN than my other network devices.

This is the reason that many just rent servers to let the companies hosting worry about the additional setup and hardening.

[CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE]

is there any way to invite my friend to my server without port forwarding

[dagger]

Originally posted by vvasilije:

is there any way to invite my friend to my server without port forwarding

No.

Port forwarding exposes the server to the internet. Without exposing the server to the internet no one outside of your local home network can join.

[skyguard]

10s of thousands of servers are port forwarding, do it correctly and you will be fine.
Lets stop the fear mongering.

[CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE]

yea but they have some kind of protection can they hack my pc or router

[william_es]

Originally posted by vvasilije:

yea but they have some kind of protection can they hack my pc or router

if you have to ask questions like this, then the answer is just go rent a server from a company where they will do all of this for you, and the company also adds extra layers of defense (ddos protection, etc).

[dagger]

Originally posted by skyguard:

10s of thousands of servers are port forwarding, do it correctly and you will be fine.
Lets stop the fear mongering.

There was no fear mongering intended in any of my posts.

I am speaking with experience and have 12+ years of professional experience with my day job in Cybersecurity.

Port forwarding if done correctly is relatively low risk but you are still exposing your device to the broader internet traffic. If done incorrectly (think wild cards or accidentally including a port unintended where an external malicious actor could take advantage of such as un-credentialed RDP).

Just because thousands of servers or individuals are doing this does not mean it is best practice or done correctly. Port forwarding is very similar to leaving your car or home unlocked. Servers that are visible to the internet show up on websites such as https://www.shodan.io/ and can be searched for potentially vulnerable exposed services.

[CODI MILLER-MCINTYRE]

can u explain what i need to do to enable port forwarding and how to lower risk of getting hacked

[zerassar]

Originally posted by vvasilije:

can u explain what i need to do to enable port forwarding and how to lower risk of getting hacked

Read the manual for your router.

Re risk. Basic mechanisms is having up-to-date OS and antivirus.
There are more advanced stuff such as using a DMZ but I doubt you've got the equipment or know how for such things.

Honestly... You sound well outside your depth and it may be easier to just rent a server for now.