What port does RDP use?
RDP uses port 3389 over TCP.
| Port | Protocol | Name | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3389 | TCP | RDP | Windows Remote Desktop. |
What catches people out
A primary ransomware entry vector. Put it behind a VPN, require network level authentication, and never expose it directly.
Checking it is listening
sudo lsof -i :3389 # macOS, Linux
netstat -ano | findstr :3389 # Windows
nc -zv host 3389 # from elsewhereAn "address already in use" error on a port nothing appears to be holding usually means the socket is in TIME_WAIT rather than that a process has it — the ports reference covers that and the ephemeral range.
Frequently asked questions
What port does RDP use?
RDP uses port 3389 over TCP. Windows Remote Desktop.
What should I watch out for with port 3389?
A primary ransomware entry vector. Put it behind a VPN, require network level authentication, and never expose it directly.
How do I check whether RDP is listening?
sudo lsof -i :3389 on macOS or Linux, netstat -ano | findstr :3389 on Windows. From another machine, nc -zv host 3389 says whether anything answers.
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