Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology is in charge of data authentication and encryption for internet connections. It encrypts data sent over the internet between two systems (typically a server and a client) to ensure its privacy. With the growing importance of online privacy, you should become acquainted with an SSL port.

Because data can be sent with or without the use of SSL, the port number is one way to indicate a secure connection. HTTPS connections use TCP port 443 by default. Port 80 is used by HTTP, an insecure protocol.

TCP ports that are frequently used
It’s useful to know the numbers for common services, such as an SSL port, for those in charge of configuring and managing web hosting. Use the tables below to look up port numbers and their basic functions quickly.

WEB

Port #	Function
80	HTTP
443	SSL
21	FTP
990	FTPs
22	SFTP / SSH
3306	MySQL

Email

Port #	Function
110	POP – Incoming
995	POP SSL – Incoming
143	IMAP – Incoming
993	IMAP SSL – Incoming
25, 80, 3535	SMTP – Outgoing
465	SMTP SSL – Outgoing

cPanel

Port #	Function
2082	cPanel TCP inbound
2083	cPanel SSL TCP inbound
2086	WHM TCP inbound
2087	WHM SSL TCP inbound
2089	WHM SSL TCP inbound
2095	Webmail TCP inbound
2096	Webmail SSL TCP inbound

How does HTTPS and SSL work?

HTTP does not exist as a separate protocol from HTTPS. HTTPS, on the other hand, works by establishing a secure HTTP connection with SSL. As a result, the protocol stacks for HTTP and HTTPS are similar:

Layer	HTTP Protocol Stack	HTTPS Protocol Stack
Application Layer	HTTP	HTTP
Security Layer		SSL (TLS)
Transport Layer	TCP	TCP
Network Layer	IP	IP
Data Link Layer	Network Interfaces	Network Interfaces

The only distinction is that HTTPS uses SSL. An SSL certificate is installed on a web server to create this secure internet connection. The SSL certificate validates an organization’s identity in order to activate the HTTPS protocol, which allows data to be securely passed from a web server to a web browser.
Identifying the differences between certificates and protocols
The HTTPS protocol and an SSL certificate are two distinct — but equally important — components of establishing a secure internet connection.

***The HTTPS protocol provides a secure channel for data encryption and transfer.
***SSL certificates are simply used to authenticate critical information when a user attempts to send data over a secure connection.
As a result, your server configuration, not the certificate, determines the secure connection.
What is the difference between SSL and TLS?
The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol is an enhancement to the SSL protocol. Netscape created the original SSL protocol in 1995 and released it to the public as SSL 2.0. Updates have been made since then to ensure stronger, more secure encryption.

TLS 1.0 was released in 1999 as an update to SSL 3.0. Since then, TLS and SSL have been the primary technologies used to secure data transmitted over internet connections. However, because the term SSL is more widely known, the name continues to be used despite the technology’s depreciation.
Why should I be concerned about my SSL port?
Although it may appear to be a minor detail, your SSL port is critical for a number of reasons. For starters, HTTP is losing favour. According to Google’s HTTPS Transparency Report, more than 70% of web pages in Google Chrome in the United States are loaded via HTTPS. Aside from the fact that “everyone else is doing it,” there are numerous advantages to using HTTPS rather than HTTP.

Using SSL, you can reduce your exposure to criminal activity.
HTTPS adds an extra layer of security against digital eavesdropping, which occurs when criminals monitor network activity in order to steal valuable information such as login credentials. Because HTTPS is encrypted, it aids in the prevention of this type of criminal activity.
PCI compliance necessitates the use of HTTPS.
If you collect credit card information on your website, the Payment Card Industry requires you to use HTTPS.

HTTPS can load web pages faster than HTTP
Not only does HTTPS provide a more secure browsing experience, but it can also improve the load times of your site’s content.
Improve the trustworthiness of your web browsing experience.
In the address bar of most major web browsers, a padlock icon or the word “secure” indicates whether or not a site is secure.
Web browsers, such as Chrome, are increasingly alerting users when they visit a site that does not use HTTPS.
SSL can help your SEO.
HTTPS is preferred by major search engines and is generally regarded as advantageous for SEO. To reap the SEO benefits, it is critical that you implement HTTPS correctly and take a few extra steps. To ensure that you get it right, use this HTTPS migration checklist for SEO.