Port 21 — FTP Control
The command/control channel for the File Transfer Protocol, used to authenticate and issue file operations.
| Port number | 21 |
|---|---|
| Service | FTP Control |
| Transport | TCP |
| Category | File Transfer |
Is port 21 safe?
Credentials travel in plaintext; avoid exposing to the internet.
Frequently asked questions
What is port 21 used for?
Port 21 (TCP) is the standard port for FTP Control. The command/control channel for the File Transfer Protocol, used to authenticate and issue file operations.
Is port 21 safe to open?
Credentials travel in plaintext; avoid exposing to the internet.
Is port 21 TCP or UDP?
Port 21 commonly uses TCP.