Port 194: IRC
Port 194 is the original IANA-registered port for IRC, Internet Relay Chat. In practice almost every IRC network instead listens on port 6667 and its encrypted neighbors, leaving port 194 rarely used.
TCPChat & messagingUnencrypted by defaultIANA assigned
| Port number | 194 |
|---|---|
| Service | Internet Relay Chat |
| Protocol | TCP |
| Category | Chat & messaging |
| Default encryption | No |
Security note. Port 194 is not encrypted by default. Restrict it to trusted networks, or use an encrypted alternative where one exists, to avoid exposing credentials and data in transit.
Frequently asked questions
What is port 194 used for?
Port 194 is the original IANA-registered port for IRC, Internet Relay Chat. In practice almost every IRC network instead listens on port 6667 and its encrypted neighbors, leaving port 194 rarely used.
Is port 194 TCP or UDP?
Port 194 (IRC) uses TCP.
Is port 194 secure?
Port 194 is not encrypted by default. Where possible, use an encrypted alternative or tunnel it over TLS or a VPN.
Should I open port 194 on my firewall?
Only if you specifically need IRC. Expose it to the smallest set of trusted sources, and never open database or Windows-service ports to the whole internet.