Is it safe to enable UPnP for gaming, or should I avoid it completely?

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Asked By CuriousGamer92 On

I'm trying to figure out whether I should enable UPnP on my router for a game I want to play online (specifically MW2). I've heard mixed opinions on safety—some say it's not too dangerous, but others warn against enabling it. My NAT type is strict, and enabling UPnP seems to be the only way to get it functioning properly again. I've also been getting some strange pop-ups on Chrome, which makes me worry that my MacBook (Pro 2018) might have malware that could be a risk if I enable UPnP. I'll only be playing this game for a few days. Is it really that risky to enable UPnP just for a short time? Also, could those pop-ups be related to UPnP?

3 Answers

Answered By CautiousNerd77 On

I understand your concerns about enabling UPnP. The functionality itself isn't inherently dangerous, but it becomes a risk if your system is infected. If you're seeing those pop-ups, they might be related to an extension or malware—definitely worth checking your system for issues. If you're only enabling UPnP for a few days while you play MW2, just ensure you disable it right after. That way, you minimize the exposure.

Answered By SecuritySavvy32 On

Your router should be doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of security. Just remember, UPnP can open up a potential vulnerability if malware gets on your computer. To stay safe, I’d suggest running a malware scan to clean your MacBook first. If you do enable UPnP, make sure you monitor your network traffic regularly to see if anything unusual pops up.

Answered By TechWiz89 On

UPnP is designed to make things easier for users by allowing devices to request the router to open specific ports as needed. While it has its conveniences, it can pose risks if your devices are compromised. If you don't have any malware and keep your system clean, UPnP should be relatively safe to enable. Just keep an eye on your device security. If you're really concerned, consider just using manual port forwarding instead, even though it's a bit more of a hassle.

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