- A
TCP 80
Why wrong: Port 80 is used for HTTP, not HTTPS; forwarding only port 80 would not allow HTTPS access.
- B
UDP 443
Why wrong: HTTPS uses TCP, not UDP; UDP 443 is not standard for web traffic.
- C
TCP 443
HTTPS uses TCP port 443, so forwarding this port allows secure web access from the internet.
- D
TCP 3389
Why wrong: Port 3389 is used for RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), not web traffic.
Question 233 of 1,020
HTTPS Port Forwarding: TCP 443 for CompTIA A+ 220-1201
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network protocols. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 setting up a new web server that must be accessible from the internet using HTTPS. The server is behind a firewall that performs port forwarding. After configuration, external users cannot reach the server, but internal users can. Which protocol and port combination must be forwarded to the server?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is TCP port 443, as HTTPS traffic relies on this protocol and port combination for secure web communication. When a firewall performs port forwarding, it must be configured to accept incoming packets on TCP 443 and redirect them to the web server’s internal IP address; without this rule, external requests are dropped, while internal users can still reach the server because their traffic stays inside the local network and bypasses the firewall’s external interface. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how port forwarding bridges public and private networks, often appearing as a troubleshooting question where internal access works but external access fails—a common trap is confusing HTTPS (TCP 443) with HTTP (TCP 80) or assuming UDP is used. Remember the mnemonic: “Secure Sockets need TCP 443 to knock on the firewall door.”
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
✓
TCP 443
HTTPS uses TCP port 443 by default. Since the server must be accessible from the internet via HTTPS, the firewall must forward TCP port 443 to the server's internal IP address. Internal users can reach the server because they are on the same local network and bypass the firewall's port forwarding rule, but external traffic on port 443 is blocked unless the rule is correctly configured.
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.
- ✗
TCP 80
Why it's wrong here
Port 80 is used for HTTP, not HTTPS; forwarding only port 80 would not allow HTTPS access.
- ✗
UDP 443
- ✓
TCP 443
- ✗
TCP 3389
Why it's wrong here
Port 3389 is used for RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), not web traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often mistakenly choose UDP 443 due to confusion with QUIC or DNS, but the CompTIA A+ exam expects TCP 443 as the standard for HTTPS traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HTTPS operates over TLS, which requires a reliable transport layer; TCP provides this with connection establishment (three-way handshake) and retransmission. In a typical port forwarding scenario, the firewall rewrites the destination IP and port of incoming packets on TCP 443 to the internal server's private IP, preserving the source IP for response routing. A common misconfiguration is forwarding only port 80 or forgetting to allow the return traffic through the firewall's stateful inspection table.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Protocols — This question tests Network Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: TCP 443 — HTTPS uses TCP port 443 by default. Since the server must be accessible from the internet via HTTPS, the firewall must forward TCP port 443 to the server's internal IP address. Internal users can reach the server because they are on the same local network and bypass the firewall's port forwarding rule, but external traffic on port 443 is blocked unless the rule is correctly configured.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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