Insecure vs Secure Ports – Why It Matters for Your Network Security

Not all ports are created equal. Using insecure ports can expose your data to threats like sniffing, tampering, and unauthorized access. Switching to secure ports with encryption protocols drastically improves data protection.

Key Differences:

FTP (21) → Switch to SFTP (22)

TELNET (23) → Switch to SSH (22)

SMTP (25) → Switch to SMTP with TLS (587)

TIME (37) → Switch to NTP (123)

DNS (53) → Switch to DoT (853)

HTTP (80) → Switch to HTTPS (443)


Takeaway: Securing ports isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining user trust.

How many of these secure ports are you using in your infrastructure?