If you are studying for CompTIA Security+ SY0-701, port numbers and protocols are one of the easiest topics to underestimate. They look simple on paper, but they show up repeatedly in firewall questions, secure protocol questions, remote access scenarios, email security problems, and service exposure questions. This page is designed to help you learn them faster with a CompTIA Security+ ports game, a practical Security+ ports list, quick explanations, and exam-focused memory tips.
Use this as a study page, a fast review tool, and a playable quiz for one of the most commonly tested Security+ protocol areas.
In this free version, you get 60 seconds to match common Security+ port numbers to the correct protocol or service. The goal is simple: answer quickly, build a streak, and beat your best score. This is one of the fastest ways to strengthen recall for common port numbers without staring at a static cheat sheet.
For many learners, a playable Security+ ports quiz works better than passive memorization because it forces fast recognition under light pressure. That is much closer to how recall feels during the actual exam.
Nice run. Use the result below to see how quickly you are recognizing common Security+ ports and protocols.
On CompTIA Security+, port numbers are not usually tested as isolated trivia. More often, they appear inside a security scenario. You might be asked which service is exposed, which protocol should replace an insecure one, which firewall rule should be added, or which port should be blocked to reduce attack surface. That means you need more than memorization. You need speed, pattern recognition, and context.
For example, recognizing that port 22 is SSH matters because SSH is the secure alternative to Telnet. Knowing that port 443 is HTTPS matters because secure web traffic, TLS, and certificate-based encryption are core ideas in Security+ questions. Knowing that port 3389 is RDP matters because remote desktop access is a common target in security hardening and access control scenarios.
When you can instantly connect port number → protocol → use case → security context, you answer faster and with more confidence. That is exactly what this page is trying to help you build.
If you are searching for a practical CompTIA Security+ ports list, start here. These are some of the most important ports and protocols that repeatedly show up in Security+ study guides, practice questions, and exam discussions. Focus first on web traffic, secure vs insecure protocol pairs, email services, remote access, directory services, and network infrastructure protocols.
| Port | Protocol | Common Use | Security+ Memory Hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | FTP Data | File transfer data channel | FTP uses separate control and data channels |
| 21 | FTP | File transfer control | Insecure file transfer |
| 22 | SSH / SFTP / SCP | Secure remote access and secure file transfer | Secure alternative to Telnet |
| 23 | Telnet | Remote terminal access | Insecure, plaintext remote login |
| 25 | SMTP | Outgoing email | Email sending protocol |
| 53 | DNS | Name resolution | Converts names to IP addresses |
| 67 / 68 | DHCP | IP address assignment | Dynamic host configuration |
| 80 | HTTP | Web traffic | Insecure web protocol |
| 110 | POP3 | Email retrieval | Older mailbox download protocol |
| 143 | IMAP | Email retrieval and sync | Keeps mail on server |
| 161 / 162 | SNMP | Network monitoring and traps | Appears in device management questions |
| 389 | LDAP | Directory services | Authentication and directory lookups |
| 443 | HTTPS | Secure web traffic | HTTP plus TLS |
| 465 | SMTPS | Secure email sending | Secure SMTP variant |
| 636 | LDAPS | Secure directory services | Secure LDAP variant |
| 993 | IMAPS | Secure email retrieval | Secure IMAP variant |
| 995 | POP3S | Secure email retrieval | Secure POP3 variant |
| 3389 | RDP | Remote desktop access | Common remote administration service |
One simple way to study this list is to group ports into small clusters:
One of the easiest ways to improve Security+ recall is to study protocols in pairs. CompTIA often frames questions around choosing the secure option, hardening an environment, or identifying the safer replacement for an older service. If you learn only the port numbers without learning the secure equivalent, you will miss part of the pattern the exam expects you to recognize.
HTTP uses port 80 and does not encrypt traffic by default. HTTPS uses port 443 and protects web traffic with TLS. If a question mentions secure browsing, web encryption, or certificates, HTTPS is usually the right direction.
Telnet uses port 23 and sends data in plaintext. SSH uses port 22 and encrypts remote access sessions. This is one of the highest-value pairs to memorize for Security+ because it is simple and commonly tested.
LDAP uses port 389 for directory access. LDAPS uses port 636 for encrypted directory communications. This matters in authentication, identity, and Active Directory-related scenarios.
POP3 uses port 110 and is a standard email retrieval protocol. POP3S uses port 995 and encrypts that retrieval. If the scenario emphasizes secure email retrieval, POP3S is the stronger answer.
IMAP uses port 143, while IMAPS uses port 993. IMAP is important because it keeps email on the server and syncs across devices, while IMAPS adds encryption.
SMTP uses port 25 for sending email, while SMTPS uses port 465 as a secure email sending option. This pair often appears in email and encryption-focused questions.
CompTIA Security+ usually tests ports inside a decision, not as a raw memorization dump. You may see a question about:
That is why studying by use case is more effective than studying a bare list. Instead of only memorizing that port 25 is SMTP, connect it to outgoing email. Instead of only memorizing that port 443 is HTTPS, connect it to TLS, certificates, and encrypted web sessions. Instead of only memorizing that port 22 is SSH, connect it to secure remote administration.
A good exam strategy is to review ports in short sessions, then quiz yourself immediately. Use the game above, write a one-page cheat sheet, and repeat the secure/insecure pairs until they feel automatic.
If you need to learn Security+ port numbers quickly, use this order:
This approach works better than trying to memorize every protocol in one sitting because it reduces overload and improves retention.
Focus first on the most common ones: 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 53, 80, 110, 143, 389, 443, 993, 995, and 3389. These show up often in Security+ prep because they map to common services and security scenarios.
Yes. This is one of the most useful ways to study. Security+ often expects you to know the secure choice, such as SSH instead of Telnet or HTTPS instead of HTTP.
Absolutely. Port 443 is HTTPS, which is one of the most important secure web protocols to remember. It is tied to TLS, certificates, secure browsing, and encrypted web sessions.
The best method is repeated active recall. A quick game, flashcards, and short mixed quizzes usually work better than rereading a table. That is why an interactive Security+ ports quiz can be so effective.
If this Security+ ports page helped, the next step is deeper exam prep across all SY0-701 domains. Use full-length practice tests, domain-based questions, flashcards, Smart Review, and targeted explanations to move beyond memorization and build real exam readiness.
Recommended excerpt: Learn the most important CompTIA Security+ port numbers fast with a free Security+ ports game, key protocol list, secure vs insecure comparisons, exam tips, and FAQs for SY0-701.