HTTP

Port 80 is the default port for HTTP, the protocol used by web browsers and servers to communicate. It allows users to access websites and web applications. HTTP is a foundational technology for the World Wide Web, enabling the transfer of web pages and other resources.

What is HTTP

Port 80 is the default port for the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which is the protocol used by web browsers and web servers to communicate. HTTP is a request-response protocol in the client-server computing model. A web browser, for example, acts as a client, while a web server hosting a website acts as the server.

HTTP was developed by Tim Berners-Lee and his team at CERN in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It has since become the backbone of the World Wide Web, enabling the transfer of web pages, images, videos, and other resources. HTTP operates over TCP/IP and is designed to be a stateless protocol, meaning each request from a client to server is independent of previous requests.

Port 80 is widely used and recognized, making it a common target for cyber-attacks. As such, many websites have transitioned to using HTTPS (HTTP Secure) over port 443, which encrypts the data transferred between the client and server, providing an additional layer of security. Despite this, port 80 remains essential for web traffic, especially for initial HTTP requests that are often redirected to HTTPS.

HTTP runs on TCP and UDP port 80 and is official IANA port.

Security risk

If port 80 is open and the service is running, it can be a target for various cyber-attacks, including DDoS attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other forms of exploitation. Unencrypted HTTP traffic can be intercepted, leading to potential data breaches. It is recommended to use HTTPS to mitigate these risks.

In our UFW tutorial you can follow instructions how you can configure UFW to close port 80. Use StackChanges to monitor if the HTTP port is closed and stays closed. StackChanges will send an alert if port 80 is open again.