How does Skype gain access to port forwarding?

3

Whenever I go to my router's configuration > NAT > Virtual Servers, I see many entries titled "Skype UDP at 10.0.0.X:< port> (< port>)". I believe that these are being made by the Skype client on different hosts, to allow some sort of functionality. How does Skype manage to get access to port-forwarding? Is there any way to disable this?

I have the Zyxel VMG1312-B30B router

TheBro21

Posted 2016-07-17T11:56:53.410

Reputation: 559

1

Probably Universal Plug and Play

– DavidPostill – 2016-07-17T12:04:08.083

1

[SO] dupe: How does Skype work without port forwarding?

– DavidPostill – 2016-07-17T12:05:23.137

@DavidPostill My UPnP was activated. I will disable it and report if the Skype entries re-appear – TheBro21 – 2016-07-17T12:05:45.577

Relevant: What is the difference between UDP hole punching and UPnP?

– DavidPostill – 2016-07-17T12:08:59.827

@DavidPostill Every single Skype entry disappeared upon disabling UPnP. Please put the solution in an answer – TheBro21 – 2016-07-17T12:31:03.200

1Answer provided :) – DavidPostill – 2016-07-17T12:38:59.993

Answers

3

How does Skype manage to get access to port-forwarding?

Is there any way to disable this?

One of the ways Skype gets arounhd firewalls is by using Universal Plug and Play.

You can disable UPnP in your router to prevent this.

See the links below for more information.

Further Reading

DavidPostill

Posted 2016-07-17T11:56:53.410

Reputation: 118 938

Asked: 2016-07-17T11:56:53.410

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Active: 2016-07-17T12:38:38.193