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A digital probe sent by a cracker
attempting to break into someone else's computer. Port scans look for open
conduits into a computer via its internet connection, attempting to discover
whether or not an exploitable weakness exists or whether a Trojan
horse program is installed. Port-scanning software is widely available
on the internet, most of it used by script kiddies to disrupt hapless
users' activities. The best form of defence against port scanners is a
firewall. Many new software-only firewalls are now available to protect
individual users as well as company networks. |