SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
What is the default port for Microsoft SQL Server?
⚠ Common exam trap
SSCP often tests the confusion between default ports of common services, especially database systems like SQL Server (1433) and MySQL (3306), or remote access protocols like RDP (3389).
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
✓
1433
Microsoft SQL Server's default instance listens on TCP port 1433 for client connections using the Tabular Data Stream (TDS) protocol. This is the well-known port assigned by IANA for SQL Server, and it is what clients use when connecting without specifying a port. Named instances, however, use dynamic ports and rely on the SQL Server Browser service on UDP 1434 to direct clients to the correct port.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
443
Why it's wrong here
443 is the default port for HTTPS, not SQL Server. It is tempting because SQL Server can be configured to listen on 443 for encrypted connections, but that is a custom configuration, not the default instance port of 1433.
- ✗
3389
Why it's wrong here
3389 is the default port for Remote Desktop Protocol, not SQL Server. It is tempting because RDP is commonly used to administer Windows-based SQL Server hosts, but the database engine itself listens on TCP 1433 for client connections.
- ✓
1433
Why this is correct
Microsoft SQL Server listens on TCP port 1433 by default for client connections, satisfying the stem's request for the standard port. Named instances instead use dynamic ports via the SQL Server Browser service on UDP 1434, but a default instance answers on 1433 unless an administrator has reconfigured it.
- ✗
3306
Why it's wrong here
3306 is the default port for MySQL, not Microsoft SQL Server. It is tempting because both are relational database engines reached over TCP, but SQL Server's default instance listens on 1433, so 3306 would target the wrong service.
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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 SSCP 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 SSCP exam.