ISC2 CC Network Security Practice Question
Which of the following ports is commonly used for secure web traffic (HTTPS)?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that both 80 and 443 are 'web' ports; candidates who skim the question and see 'web traffic' pick 80, missing the word 'secure' that points to 443.
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
✓
443
HTTPS uses TCP port 443 by default, wrapping HTTP inside a TLS tunnel so credentials, cookies, and page content are encrypted in transit. Port 443 is the IANA-registered well-known port for HTTPS and is what browsers assume when no port is specified in an https:// URL. This is why secure web traffic is universally associated with 443.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
53
Why it's wrong here
Port 53 carries DNS queries and zone transfers, not HTTPS. It is tempting because DNS underpins nearly all web browsing, but HTTPS itself listens on 443; 53 would only be correct for a question about name resolution.
- ✗
80
Why it's wrong here
Port 80 serves unencrypted HTTP, so traffic on it is not secure. It is tempting because it is the default web port, but HTTPS uses 443; 80 is correct only when the question asks for standard, non-TLS web traffic.
- ✗
22
Why it's wrong here
Port 22 carries SSH for remote shell access and secure file transfer, not HTTPS. It is tempting because SSH is encrypted, but that encryption protects terminal sessions, not web pages; 22 is correct for secure remote administration.
- ✓
443
Why this is correct
Port 443 is the IANA-assigned default for HTTPS, carrying HTTP over TLS to encrypt web traffic. Port 80 handles unencrypted HTTP, while 22 and 3389 serve SSH and RDP respectively, so 443 satisfies the secure web traffic requirement.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Secure Network Architecture and Design
Key term
Transport Layer Security
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure, encrypted communication between two devices over a network, such as between a web browser and a server.
Key term
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, or HTTPS, is the secure version of HTTP that encrypts data between a web browser and a website using SSL/TLS to protect sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.