Port 443 is the standard port used for HTTPS, which employs SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication.
Here's a breakdown:
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SSL/TLS and HTTPS: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and its successor, Transport Layer Security (TLS), are cryptographic protocols that provide secure communication over a network. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP, using SSL/TLS to encrypt the connection between a web browser and a web server.
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Port 443: By default, HTTPS traffic is transmitted over TCP port 443. When you access a website with "https://" in the address bar, your browser establishes a secure connection with the server on port 443. This ensures that all data exchanged, such as passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data, is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping.
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Why SSL/TLS is Important: SSL/TLS encryption protects data integrity and confidentiality during transmission. It verifies the identity of the server and ensures that the data hasn't been tampered with in transit.
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Example: When you visit your bank's website (e.g.,
https://www.examplebank.com
), your browser connects to the bank's server on port 443. SSL/TLS encrypts all communication between your computer and the bank's server, preventing unauthorized access to your banking information.
In summary, port 443 is the primary port associated with SSL/TLS encryption for secure web browsing (HTTPS).