If I open a port can I be hacked through it?

I have had to open (forward) a few ports for certain programs on my computer so that I can connect to xbox live through my computer. I had to do this with both my firewall and router. Seeing as the ports are open, if when I am not using xbox live can I be hacked through the ports? I don't know too much about this which is why I'm asking. I use zone alarm firewall and to me it just seems like forwarding a port means completely opening it and having no protection on it which is why I happen to think this could pose a security threat. Does anyone know anything about this, and if so can you please give me some info about it. Thanks.

If I open a port can I be hacked through it?virus protection software

The basic answer is that yes, an open port is a security breach through which you can be hacked.

Keep in mind, though, that in order to get access to your computer through an open port, there must be a program running and listening on that port that can be hacked. If there's no program running and listening on that port, then there's no foothold for a hacker to use.

I'm not familiar with how xbox live works, but if your router is forwarding the port to your xbox, which has a certain IP address on your local network, then when your xbox is turned off there's nothing there to forward requests to. So nothing for hackers to hack.

I'd be more worried about being hacked while you're using the xbox. Check the various xbox forums to see if there are any security problems turning up.

If I open a port can I be hacked through it?adware

yes you can , you might want to use a router with a Nat or SPI firewall built in, ZoneAlarm is great but won't help you in this case, A built in firewall in a router will stealth those ports and still allow your xbox to function.......