Port 445 is primarily associated with which service?

Port 445 is primarily associated with Active Directory and file sharing services. This port is used by Microsoft’s Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, which facilitates file sharing, printer sharing, and the interaction with Active Directory services in a Windows environment. The SMB protocol operates over TCP/IP and is crucial for allowing applications and users to communicate and share files securely over a network.

When dealing with cybersecurity, it’s important to recognize that services running on specific ports can present various security vulnerabilities. For instance, port 445 is often a target for attackers due to the prevalence of SMB in Windows networks. Understanding the primary use of specific ports, like port 445, allows for better network security practices, such as implementing firewall rules and monitoring for suspicious activity.

Each of the other services listed operates on different standard ports. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), for instance, typically uses port 25; FTP (File Transfer Protocol) commonly operates on ports 20 and 21; and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) generally uses port 80. Being aware of these standard port assignments is crucial for network configuration and security management.