Left 4 Dead 2 Local Server Hosting (listen server)

[76561198353087538]

I’ve been starting public game lobbies by choosing “local host server” so I have my own plugins to make it fun. When I type “status” in my console it shows my ipv4 address following the port. I’m assuming people who are connecting are able to see that?


-Is that safe and should I be worried? I don’t want to potentially get hacked.

(I know it’s my ipv4 address bc I typed “ipconfig all” in my CMD and it shows)

[ReBoot]

If you're behind a router (which you likely are), your link-local address is useless. If you want to give FRIENDs something to join you buy, have them join you via Steam then.

If you want to give ANYONE something to join you buy, give them your public IP address.

You'd also need to forward the apropriate port(s) in your router (if my memory isn't wrong, it's 27015 TCP/UDP).

As for getting hacked, exposing a server to the outside world is, in theory, putting your system at danger but in practice, there's no known attacks on the Source server code going on and the server gets patched quickly when needed which, according to security experts (whom I'm inclined to trust) is the #1 remedy anyway.

[76561198353087538]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

If you're behind a router (which you likely are), your link-local address is useless. If you want to give FRIENDs something to join you buy, have them join you via Steam then.

If you want to give ANYONE something to join you buy, give them your public IP address.

You'd also need to forward the apropriate port(s) in your router (if my memory isn't wrong, it's 27015 TCP/UDP).

As for getting hacked, exposing a server to the outside world is, in theory, putting your system at danger but in practice, there's no known attacks on the Source server code going on and the server
gets patched quickly when needed which, according to security experts (whom I'm inclined to trust) is the #1 remedy anyway.

I don’t have any problems hosting my “local host server” and needing to port forward. random people and friends can join no problem.

I was just asking if I should be concerned about my ipv4 address showing to the public.

But from what you’re saying you said my ipv4 is useless?

[ReBoot]

Your public IP address "shows to the public" no matter you hosting a server or not. It's not like you're a dark spot on the internet which lights up the moment you open a server. Your public IP address is public the moment your router logs in.

The question isn't the IP address, the question is what can be reached from the outside. If you forward one single port for one single server, that server will be visible from the outside.

If you, like me, just put your PC into your router's DMZ, then all servers running on that PC are outside-visible (which is actually my intention).

[Mike]

Originally posted by JuneBuggs:

I was just asking if I should be concerned about my ipv4 address showing to the public.

To answer your question: No it's nothing to worry about if you occasionally start up a local server. Metaphorically speaking it does make your computer a brighter light in the darkness.

Just keep your computer up to date with the latest security patches.