Port 6667: IRC (de facto)
Port 6667 is the de facto standard port for IRC, Internet Relay Chat, even though 194 is the officially registered one. Most public IRC networks also offer an encrypted option on port 6697.
TCPChat & messagingUnencrypted by defaultIANA assigned
| Port number | 6667 |
|---|---|
| Service | Internet Relay Chat |
| Protocol | TCP |
| Category | Chat & messaging |
| Default encryption | No |
Security note. Port 6667 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 6667 used for?
Port 6667 is the de facto standard port for IRC, Internet Relay Chat, even though 194 is the officially registered one. Most public IRC networks also offer an encrypted option on port 6697.
Is port 6667 TCP or UDP?
Port 6667 (IRC (de facto)) uses TCP.
Is port 6667 secure?
Port 6667 is not encrypted by default. Where possible, use an encrypted alternative or tunnel it over TLS or a VPN.
Should I open port 6667 on my firewall?
Only if you specifically need IRC (de facto). Expose it to the smallest set of trusted sources, and never open database or Windows-service ports to the whole internet.