- A
Port 22 and 21
Why wrong: Port 22 is for SSH and port 21 for FTP, not web traffic.
- B
Port 80 and 443
Port 80 handles HTTP and port 443 handles HTTPS, covering both standard and encrypted web traffic.
- C
Port 3389 and 5900
Why wrong: Port 3389 is for RDP and port 5900 for VNC, used for remote desktop, not web.
- D
Port 53 and 123
Why wrong: Port 53 is for DNS and port 123 for NTP, not web services.
Question 444 of 1,020
HTTP and HTTPS Ports: 80 and 443
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of tcp & udp ports. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is configuring a new web server that must support both standard and encrypted web traffic. Which two ports should be opened in the firewall?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is ports 80 and 443. Standard unencrypted web traffic, known as HTTP, operates over port 80, while encrypted web traffic, HTTPS, uses port 443 to secure data with SSL/TLS encryption. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of common protocol-to-port mappings, often appearing in scenario-based questions about firewall configuration or web server setup. A common trap is confusing these ports with SSH (port 22), FTP (port 21), or RDP (port 3389), so remember that any web traffic—whether HTTP or HTTPS—always involves ports 80 or 443. To lock it in, use the mnemonic: “80 is great for plain, 443 is for security to the core.”
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
✓
Port 80 and 443
Standard web traffic uses HTTP on port 80, while encrypted web traffic uses HTTPS on port 443. Opening these two ports in the firewall allows the web server to serve both unencrypted and TLS/SSL-encrypted content to clients.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Port 22 and 21
- ✓
Port 80 and 443
Why this is correct
Port 80 handles HTTP and port 443 handles HTTPS, covering both standard and encrypted web traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Port 3389 and 5900
Why it's wrong here
Port 3389 is for RDP and port 5900 for VNC, used for remote desktop, not web.
- ✗
Port 53 and 123
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between ports used for web services (80/443) versus ports used for remote administration (22, 3389, 5900) or infrastructure services (53, 123), leading candidates to confuse secure web traffic with SSH or RDP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 typically run over TCP port 80, while HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) uses TCP port 443. When a client connects to port 443, the server performs a TLS handshake before any HTTP data is exchanged; this handshake negotiates cipher suites and exchanges certificates. In modern deployments, HTTP/3 uses QUIC over UDP port 443, but the exam focuses on the standard TCP-based ports.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
TCP & UDP Ports — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
TCP & UDP Ports — This question tests TCP & UDP Ports — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Port 80 and 443 — Standard web traffic uses HTTP on port 80, while encrypted web traffic uses HTTPS on port 443. Opening these two ports in the firewall allows the web server to serve both unencrypted and TLS/SSL-encrypted content to clients.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is configuring a new web server that must support both standard HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Which two ports should be opened in the firewall?
easy- ✓ A.80 and 443
- B.21 and 22
- C.8080 and 8443
- D.25 and 110
Why A: Standard HTTP traffic uses TCP port 80, and HTTPS (HTTP over TLS/SSL) uses TCP port 443. A web server must have both ports open in the firewall to serve unencrypted and encrypted web content respectively, as defined in RFC 7230 and RFC 2818.
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.