Paltalk Blocked

[UnOriginal]

My school has a firewall that has recently been blocking me from starting up paltalk. Is there any way around this or a way I can tweak my computer to work it? I asked the IT department about it and they seemed clueless.

I'm not at school enough where it's a real concern, it'd just be nice to have it work when I am killing time.

[SOS]

What happens when you run the connection test (http://support.paltalk.com/V8/PHLfrInstalling.html)?

[Schnit Dick]

same thing happens to me when i am at work...firewall blocks it, but not AIM for some reason....havent found a way around it yet

[SOS]

Go to the firewall help section below. I think the firewall is blocking ports necessary for paltalk use. Paltalk uses lots of rotating ports so it would be impractical for the lan admin to open all of them if they were paranoid about security. You can still try though.



From (http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1459)
# PalTalk uses four ports.
The following are the default ports:
2090 (TCP) File Transfer
# 2090 (UDP) Voice Stream
# 2091 (TCP) Video Listening Port
# 2091 (UDP) Control Stream


Also: (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/app_port_list.htm)

Pal Talk
(Watch Out! Opens a wide port range!)
IN UDP 2090 [voice]
IN UDP 2091 [control stream]
IN TCP 2090 [file transfer]
IN TCP 2091 [video listening]
IN TCP 2095 [file transfer- older versions]
OUT TCP 5001 - 50015 [text messaging]
OUT TCP 8200 - 8700 [Firewall / network mode group voice]
OUT UDP 8200 - 8700 [Firewall / network mode group voice]
OUT UDP 1025 - 2500 [outbound voice & control stream (user configurable)]

The last 2 UDP outbound ports are usually set in pairs. 1024 - 1025, 1026 - 1027, etc... Most users never have to set these lower two ports. They are dynamically assigned if you leave the lower two boxes set to 0's on the 'paltalk port settings' tab.
Outbound ports are usually not an issue but are listed here for network users who may need to manually configure for a proxy or NAT server or other hardware device.

Firewalls and home networks

Most modern firewalls will simply prompt you that Paltalk is attempting to connect to the internet. Select 'allow' or 'yes' and also be sure to select 'remember this decision' or 'always allow' to avoid being prompted every time you start Paltalk.

Due to the vast array of products, and combinations of products that you may be running on your system, we cannot give you help in this area beyond suggesting that you consult your documentation for configuration instructions or more help. You may also want to check the manufacturers web sites.




A word about 'Firewall / Network support':
(box 6 under the sound controls tab under preferences)

This forces Paltalk into TCP/IP mode for group voice and should be used.




Using a proxy server with Paltalk

Paltalk will NOT work thru a proxy server! If you are a business and have the need to proxy into our service please contact our business development department to have your proxy added to our 'allowed' list.




Ports used for Paltalk

Paltalk uses 'outbound' connections which are easily handled by most 'off the shelf' home routers and firewalls. You should be able to use multiple computers on your home network without doing 'port forwarding'.

security
For security reasons Paltalk uses a large range of 'rotating' ports and it is impractical to list them or to attempt to configure them. If you are at a large corporation that blocks access to the outside world , most system administrators are unwilling to open ports to the outside world.

If you are a business and have the need to proxy into our service please contact our business development department to have your proxy added to our 'allowed' list.




I use a Linux firewall

I use McAffee Firewall

I am having problems with my network in general






Q. I use Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), how do i configure it for Paltalk?
A. This answer comes from one of our beta testers! Thanks Sam! (aka jjonkers on Paltalk)

ICS is a NAT based system that first surfaced with Windows98. It requires special configuration and is not for the weak of heart. Help and a free configuration program is available at....
http://www.practicallynetworked.com . Go directly to the ICS section here .

Click here to get the ICS Configuration program.





Linux Firewall:
courtesy of VinnyAz (palsupport)

This script depends on kernel 2.4.x

The author of rc.firewall is working to incorporate our changes into the next version of the script.

Compile the kernel with full netfilter support.

Install iptables.

Copy this script to an appropriate directory, such as /usr/local/bin, and edit it to reflect the IP addresses of your network. Other ports can be added to the configuration section to enable any other applications you may need to run.

Symlink the script to an init directory that will execute it on boot, this will vary by distribution.

I have tested this script on Debian, and video, audio and file transfer all work behind the firewall. Self test video doesn't work, so you will need someone else to test with.

Please do not contact Paltalk as they are just making this available through their web site for your convenience and have nothing to do with the script or this README. Check Vinny's site for updates at http://www.cybertrails.com/~monte/

I would like to thank Eddie Baker for all his work on the script to allow it to accept port ranges and making it all work.

This script is being made available as-is and carries no warranty.





MCAFEE FIREWALL:

Allowing Applications

Double click the icon in your systems tray.

1.Click Applications at the top of the window.

2.You will see a list of applications currently configured.

3.Click a listed application to highlight it.

4.Check the box next to the application name below the "Applications" window.

5.If you would like to block an application from internet communication, uncheck the box.

6.Repeat steps 3-5 for each listed application.

NOTE: If the application you are looking for is not listed, finish this configuration, then open the application in question while connected to the internet and while the Firewall is enabled. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to allow communication by the given application. At this point you can choose to allow or disallow communication.

To Set Your Security

1.right click icon in systems tray.
2.Then choose "options".
3.Then choose "security".
4.There you can set your security to a medium level.






General networking info from practicallynetworked.com:

If you are having problems in general or are new to home networking, you may want to visit http://www.practicallynetworked.com for more information. This is a rather complete site and may be very helpful to you. Visit the troubleshooting section by clicking here.

[BCH]

The Proxy issue is probably what is causing people the problem at work. When I work at certain sites, I can't log into Paltalk because of the Proxy Server Requirement. If you Go into your Internet Options and Go To the Connections tab and then click the Lan Settings button and the "Use a Proxy Server For Your Lan" checkbox is checked, you're doomed. Unless your Boss or the Head of IT wants to talk to Paltalk and Get Added to their Allowed sites list.

[UnOriginal]

this is wierd, I did the regfix and restarted and worked fine, then I had to close up my laptop and go to another room and now it doesn't want to login. Thanks for the help though .....

[Zehdd]

Thanks for the Quote from Dlink, SOS.

# PalTalk uses four ports.
The following are the default ports:
# 2090 (TCP) File Transfer
# 2090 (UDP) Voice Stream
# 2091 (TCP) Video Listening Port
# 2091 (UDP) Control Stream


Put those in my 2000 Server NAT table, and I can get on fine now.
Now if I can only get the Mods to stop bouncing my name...

[blacknoi]

arghhhh the proxy at work is a showstopped for me. emailed paltalk to see if they can make a version (text only is fine) for use through a proxy.

[InternetStalker]

U all should be working!!! Not Paltalking. At least that's what I was told here at work after almost being fired.