You can test out your firewall security at www.grc.com I've been using the Outpost Pro firewall for awhile now. I've always gotten a Stealth rating. But now, one port, 1026,it's closed according to grc but not stealth. If you know anything about firewalls and security, it's like painting a target on your back. The GRC site suggested 'blocking incoming connection request (TCP SYN packets) for ports 1024-1030. I created a simple rule to block incoming TCP for port 1026, but it didn't make any difference. I don't suspect a virus or spyware, a few scans proved me right. GRC mentioned it might have something to do with SQL. I notice a couple of programs that seem to use it including my antivirus, AVIRA. So, am I at risk? The port is closed. But not stealth. How to I hide it again? WinXP Pro-SP2, 192MB RAM, Avira Antivirus, Outpost Pro 2009 firewall.

I don't think you are at risk. If the port is closed, then there is no service listening on it. Both Unix and Windows use ports over 1024 as source ports, mostly for the browser but also for FTP, SSH and any other client software that is making a request to a server.

I use Outpost firewall and got exactly the same result from 'grc' firewall test (port 1026). My firewall would also always pass the stealth test until recently, Most be something to do with Outpost firewall as you are having the same problem