Questions on ports

[digitaloracle]

I just had to forward a port to my computer and in doing so I thought of an important question:
Is simply having a port open a hazard? Or is it merely a potenital hazard, made real only by holes in the OS or holes in programs specific to that port?

 

[majistic]

It is a potential hazard. Leaves you open to invaders.

 

[SkyHi]

Hi port scanners!

-SkyHi

 

[digitaloracle]

By forward I mean open to the internet (so it goes to my computer and doesn't get handled by my router), in case I wasn't clear. Regardless of whether port scanners will pick it up, will a potential intruder be able to do anything with that port, provided it is either unused or used by a secure application?

 

[SkyHi]

Yes, I could scan you, and see what daemons you have running, and possibly exploit them.. any cracker (note: cracker, not hacker, because hackers aren't bad) can exploit about any daemon and send files to you, and screw you over! Be careful, and I know this is possible.. *looks off into the distance*

-SkyHi