hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: During a security audit, a technician discovers…
During a security audit, a technician discovers that an internal web server is responding on port 8080 instead of the standard HTTP port. What is the most likely reason for this configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume any non-standard port implies a custom protocol or security measure, but the A+ exam tests specific knowledge that port 8080 is the well-known alternate HTTP port, not a random or custom assignment.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The server is configured as a web proxy or alternate HTTP server.
Port 8080 is commonly used as an alternate HTTP port, often for web proxy servers or secondary HTTP servers. This allows administrators to run a separate HTTP service without conflicting with the standard port 80, which is frequently used for caching proxies or development environments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The server is running HTTPS on a non-standard port.
Why it's wrong here
While HTTPS can technically operate on any port, its standard and well-known port is 443, with 8443 sometimes used for alternative secure web services. Port 8080, however, is overwhelmingly associated with non-secure HTTP proxy services or alternate HTTP servers, not typically for encrypted HTTPS traffic unless explicitly configured for a very specific, non-standard purpose. Therefore, inferring HTTPS from port 8080 without additional context is generally incorrect.
- ✓
The server is configured as a web proxy or alternate HTTP server.
Why this is correct
Port 8080 is a widely recognized alternative port for HTTP traffic, often employed when the standard HTTP port 80 is already in use, blocked by a firewall, or reserved for a different primary service. Web proxy servers frequently listen on port 8080 to intercept and forward web requests, and many development web servers or application servers also default to this port for their HTTP services. This makes it the most probable configuration for a server listening on 8080.
- ✗
The server is running an FTP service.
Why it's wrong here
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) services utilize specific, well-known ports for their operations. Port 21 is used for the FTP control channel, managing commands and responses, while port 20 is typically used for the data channel in active mode. Port 8080 has no standard association with FTP, making it highly improbable that a server listening on this port is primarily running an FTP service.
- ✗
The server is using a custom application protocol.
Why it's wrong here
While it is technically possible for any application to be configured to use any available port, including 8080, for a custom protocol, this is not the most common or likely scenario. Port 8080 has a strong, established association with HTTP alternative services and web proxies, as defined by IANA as a 'Registered Port'. Without further information, assuming a custom application protocol over a widely recognized HTTP alternative port is a less probable conclusion.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.