What Is TLS/SSL Port? Difference Between SSL Certificate Port vs HTTPS Port

What Is a TLS/SSL Port?

A TLS/SSL port is a portion of the network used for the creation of secure connections on the Internet using the Transport Layer Security or Secure Socket Layer. Such protocols are used for encryption and authentication so that data being exchanged between a client, like a web browser, and a server does not get compromised and is complete.

Through the use of encryption to communicate, TLS/SSL can assist in combating spying, interference, and falsification of messages.

Common SSL Certificate Port Numbers

Port 443 (HTTPS)

TCP port 443 is used for the communication between a client and a server protected with the HTTPS protocol.

Its primary usefulness is in running secure web connections. Whenever a user goes to a webpage under HTTPS, the communication session between his/her browser and the web server is secure by SSL/TLS.

Also Read: WHAT IS SSL, TLS & HTTPS? [Explanation to Difference]

This ensures that all collected information, ranging from personal details, payment information, and account details, is not accessible to bad people who may intercept the information passed between the browser and the server.

Port 465 (SMTPS)

Port 465 was previously assigned for Secure SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Secure). It also includes the general use of emails in security.

While nowadays most mail providers have extended support for it and switched to STARTTLS on TCP 587, TCP 465 for secure SMTP is still in use by some providers.

This port ensures that the email, which was sent by a client to a mail server, is encrypted so that unauthorized people cannot have access to the content of the mail as they are being transmitted.

Port 587 (SMTP with STARTTLS)

Port 587 is the current port for SMTP, or the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, that supports STARTTLS. It is used for sending emails safely, and it is also used for many other purposes.

An example of an extension is STARTTLS, which tells the mail server to change an unsafe connection into a safe connection through SSL/TLS. SMTP port is used and advocated widely for the submission of mail.

This is because it guarantees that emails are protected by encryption as they pass from the client to the mail server.

Port 993 (IMAPS)

Port 993 is the default port for SSL/TLS protected IMAP protocol used in internet communication.

It is adopted for pulling down emails from a mail server in a safe manner. IMAP enables users to read their emails on several computers/places, and port 993 ensures that the connection between the email client and the server is secure.

This ensures that email data is secure at the various points where it is accessed or manipulated in devices.

Port 995 (POP3S)

For instance, the secure version of POP3, otherwise known as Post Office Protocol 3, commonly uses port 995, which is over SSL/TLS. It is used for downloading messages safely from a mail host.

POP3 normally over an SSL connection downloads emails for offline use, and to make sure this download is encrypted, we use Port 995. This aids in enforcing the confidentiality and integrity of the email data during the transfer from the server to the local device.

Port 636 (LDAPS)

This port is used by LDAP over SSL/TLS, which is the standard secure LDAP port or port 636. It is used for creating secure directory services.

LDAPS is utilized for encrypting the connection between customers and LDAP servers, which can be employed for maintaining user identification and also other directory info.

Through the use of port 636, the organizations enhance the security of directory data from other people who might have an intention of eavesdropping on the data or accessing it in any other unlawful way.

Port 5223 (XMPP over SSL)

The commonly used port for encrypted XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) is port 5223. It is used to provide a method of secure instant messaging.

XMPP is used for broadcasting instant messages and presence information, and port 5223 ensures that the XMPP communication is secure.

This is important because it offers privacy and security to the messages exchanged by the users, and this helps to prevent interception and malicious alteration.

Commonly Used TCP Ports for Web, Email, and cPanel

Web Ports:

1. Port 80 (HTTP): This is the default port for the unencrypted data transfer that comes with the HTTP protocol. Port 80 is largely used for browsing the internet in order to access various websites.
2. Port 443 (HTTPS): This is the port used to access this HTTPS traffic, which is HTTP over SSL/TLS encrypted. Port 443 helps in the secure transmission of data between web browsers and servers, and thus personal information like login credentials and payment information.

Also Read: Port 80 (HTTP) vs. Port 443 (HTTPS): Major Difference

Email Ports:

1. Port 25 (SMTP): This port is used for sending outgoing email messages. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the protocol used for email transmission.
2. Port 587 (SMTP Submission): This port is also used for sending email messages, especially by email clients and other mail user agents. It supports the use of STARTTLS for encryption.
3. Port 110 (POP3): This port is used for receiving email messages from a server using the POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) protocol.
4. Port 995 (POP3S): This port is used for secure POP3 email retrieval over SSL/TLS encryption.
5. Port 143 (IMAP): This port is used for retrieving email messages from a server using the IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) protocol.
6. Port 993 (IMAPS): This port is used for secure IMAP email retrieval over SSL/TLS encryption.

cPanel Ports:

1. Port 2082 (cPanel): This port is used for unencrypted HTTP access to cPanel. It provides web-based management of hosting accounts and servers.
2. Port 2083 (cPanel SSL): This port is used for HTTPS access to cPanel, providing secure web-based management of hosting accounts and servers.
3. Port 2086 (WHM): This port is used for unencrypted HTTP access to WebHost Manager (WHM), which is used for server administration tasks in cPanel hosting environments.
4. Port 2087 (WHM SSL): This port is used for HTTPS access to WHM, providing secure server administration tasks in cPanel hosting environments.

SSL Certificate Port vs HTTPS Port

Aspect	SSL Certificate Port	HTTPS Port
Protocol	SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)	HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
Purpose	Used for SSL/TLS certificate management, such as installation, renewal, and configuration	Used for secure communication between clients (web browsers) and servers over the internet
Port Number	Typically no specific port number (varies)	Port 443 is the standard port number
Encryption	Handles encryption and decryption of data	Provides encrypted communication using SSL/TLS protocols
Application	Primarily used by certificate management tools and services	Used by web browsers and servers to ensure secure data transfer
Security	Ensures secure storage and management of digital certificates	Ensures secure transmission of sensitive data over the internet
Usage Example	Used for activities like CSR generation, certificate installation, and certificate renewal	Used for accessing websites securely, making online transactions, and protecting user privacy
Common Tools	OpenSSL, Keytool, Certbot, etc.	Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and web servers (Apache, Nginx, IIS, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an SSL Certificate Port?

It is a port through which the SSL certificate works for secure communication over the internet, usually by using the protocol known as HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure).

For HTTPS traffic connectivity, the most popular TCP port number is port 443. An SSL certificate is used to validate the identity of websites and protect data transferred from the server and client.

Are Port 8443 and 443 the same?

Port 8443 is different from port 443, but both can be used to carry out HTTPS connections. The well-known TCP port number 443 is the port for the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, which is the secure version of HTTP used for web page retrieval.

Port 8443 was created for individual secure purposes that require the usage of certificates, for instance, for separate admin consoles or numerous HTTPS services running on a single server.

What is HTTPS vs SSL Port?

An HTTPS port means a particular port number, which is port 443, that is utilized for secure web connections using HTTPS.

An SSL port, however, can refer to and is not limited to only port 433 but is any port that is protected by SSL/TLS. Additional SSL ports are port number 993 for secure IMAP and port number 465 for secure SMTP mailbox.

Conclusion

Being aware of the specific roles and differences between the SSL and HTTPS ports helps in ensuring that secure communications are effected online. To learn more about the steps or solutions to secure your connections, go through our wide range of Digital Certificates and protect your information.