Serviio

Hello
So I just finished connecting my LG TV with my laptop and now streaming my laptop screen to my TV.
But I have few questions here:

1. with DLNA option on my TV, can ANY DLNA enabled TV/devices access my router/laptop screen if DLNA server on my laptop is running? IF this is the case, is there a method where I can limit outsiders/hackers from accessing my network/screen?
2. Read something about uPnP setting making risks for security hole for viruses etc. Should I disable uPnP? Would it affect me in any way if I try to stream my laptop screen to TV?

1. There are no limits to how many devices can connect to a DLNA server. Of course, there may be practical limits to how many devices your network and computer can handle, particularly with a laptop (usually not as powerful as a desktop PC) and if you are using Wi-Fi to connect the laptop to the network. Higher quality videos (i.e. HD) will tax everything more than standard DVD quality. Each individual device may not require much from your server, but they all add up, especially if you need to transcode any of your videos for your devices. Remember that no one outside your network will be able to connect to your Serviio.

2. uPnP is (to my knowledge) only used to allow Serviio to auto-configure your router to allow access from the Internet. If you aren't using MediaBrowser (Pro version only) from outside your network, there's no need to open your router for Serviio. It will function inside your network with no problems without uPnP enabled.

Firstly DLNA is only available on you LAN (home network) not across the internet, so your hacker would have to be connected to your LAN.

Additionally,in Serviio Console, Status tab you can uncheck the "Enable access for new devices", and press Save. This way new devices on your LAN cannot connect unless you allow it (to allow a new device, you need to manually right click on the disabled device and enable it).

ps. the issue with UPNP is it allows opening a port on your router in the background, so an application can open a port up without you knowing it (usually you get a warning from your firewall but most people ignore prompts like that and madly click "OK") and then a bad guy can get access to your PC. This is why some security guru's don't like it. The positive side is it makes what (is to some) complex networking configurations easy.

If you take normal security measures (virus scanner, firewall, read any prompts when they appear, etc) you are usually fine. But if you are concerned, disable it and then manually forward your port if you need remote access. As atc98o92 states, if you are not connecting remotely to your server you won't need it anyway - so don't enable it (just don't check "Automatically configure your router..." on the Remote tab in serviio console).