Greetings Chris, The problems you are describing are often caused by internet security features on your system. Firewalls and routers are designed specifically to control your computer's incoming and outgoing connections. You may need to set up these security features to allow access for multiplayer functions of the game. If these are not set up correctly, the firewall or router may prevent you from connecting to StarCraft II properly or reliably. Blizzard does not offer direct support for proxies (Internet connection sharing), firewalls, or routers. The settings provided are suggested settings only. You may need to contact your ISP or network administrator for assistance if you have opened the correct ports but still cannot connect to the game servers. Here are some common questions and answers regarding proxies, firewalls, and routers. What do I need to know about ports? Anytime your computer receives incoming data, it is sent to a "port". Your computer has many ports that can receive data, and different activities will utilize different ports. Starcraft II uses TCP port number 1119 and 1120 to play and UDP port 1119 for in game Voice chat. How are ports restricted when using a proxy, firewall, or router? Most proxy servers, firewalls, and other Internet connection sharing methods can restrict port access. Your configuration may be restricting packets between you and "unknown sources". In this case an "unknown source" would be defined as any IP address that you have not initiated the contact with. Once you contact the IP address, your proxy and/or firewall should consider it "safe", or a "known source", since you initiated the contact. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X ship with firewall services built into the operating system . While these services are disabled by default, if you have turned these services on, you may need to configure these services to allow the game to access the Internet. Windows XP: * Click on the Start button. * Right click on My Network Places. * Select Properties from the list. * Click on the left of the screen where you see "Change Windows Firewall Settings" * Click on the Exceptions tab. * Click on the Add Port Button. * Type in WoW in the Name box. * Type in 1119 as the Port number. * Make sure TCP is selected. * Repeat the above steps and add 1119 UDP if you wish to use the in game voice chat. * Click OK. *Repeat steps for port 1120 Windows Vista/Windows 7: * Click on the Start button. * Click on "Control Panel" * On the Control Panel click "Security" * On the Security panel click "Windows Firewall" * Click on the link to "Change Settings" * Click on the Exceptions tab. * Click on the Add Port button. * Type in WoW in the Name box. * Type in 1119 as the Port number. * Make sure TCP is selected. * Repeat the above steps and add 1119 UDP if you wish to use the in game voice chat. * Click OK. *Repeat steps for port 1120 Mac OS X Leopard (10.5): * Click on the System Preferences icon on the Dock. * Click the Security icon. * Click the Firewall tab. * Click the Set access for specific services and applications button. Click the + (plus) sign. * Navigate to the StarCraft II folder and select the StarCraft II application file. * Press Add. * Right-click to the right of the StarCraft II line and select Allow incoming connections. Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) & Panther (10.3): * Click on the System Preferences icon in the Dock. * Click on the Sharing icon. * Click on the Firewall tab. * Click on the New button. * Select Other from the Port Name choice bar. * Type in: 1119 * Click the OK button. *Repeat steps for port 1120 Some firewall programs have preset ports available in their configurations that are often necessary to be open. One in particular is a connection to your DNS server. This usually takes place on UDP port 53. What do I do if I am still having problems connecting using a firewall, router, or proxy? If you need further help configuring your firewall, router, or proxy you will need to contact the manufacturer for assistance. Regards, Game Master Cynberox Customer Services Blizzard Entertainment www.blizzard.com/support -----Original Message----- Subject: [en]StarCraft II -- Connection Issues Contact Information ----------------------- System Information ------------------------ IP: 66.75.247.92 Cpu Model: PC AMD Phenom Series Cpu Speed: 2.0 GHz - 2.99 GHz Operating System: Windows XP Ram: 2048 MB or more Sound Card: Realtek AC '97 Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 9 Series Request ------------------------------------ Product: StarCraft II Category: Connection Issues Description -------------------------------- Installer cannot connect to authenticate software. Turned off windows firewall. No antivirus is installed. Updated wireless card drivers (linksys wireless-g). Added port forwarding to router (linksys wireless-g as well) 6112-6114, 3724, 6881-6999, 4000. IP address is correct as well.