Hi Gurls/Guys

I am currently working on a Windows 8.1 System fully patched with Avast Anti-Virus. Now the question I have is relating to connections via the web

1. How do I understand the NETSTAT information such as connected addresses and ports are their any apps to aid quick diagnostics, like Hijackthis displays everything running in start up, with a easy to diagnose interface.

2. Why the would port 21 be showing closed (instead of stealth via GRC)

How can I improve the security of this laptop and in general, the laptop accesses the web via a router and which is firewalled.

Cheers
ZL