Port 70: Gopher
Port 70 is Gopher, a menu-driven document retrieval protocol that predates the web. It largely died out after HTTP took over in the 1990s, though a small community still runs Gopher servers today.
TCPLegacy protocolsUnencrypted by defaultIANA assigned
| Port number | 70 |
|---|---|
| Service | Gopher protocol |
| Protocol | TCP |
| Category | Legacy protocols |
| Default encryption | No |
Security note. Port 70 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 70 used for?
Port 70 is Gopher, a menu-driven document retrieval protocol that predates the web. It largely died out after HTTP took over in the 1990s, though a small community still runs Gopher servers today.
Is port 70 TCP or UDP?
Port 70 (Gopher) uses TCP.
Is port 70 secure?
Port 70 is not encrypted by default. Where possible, use an encrypted alternative or tunnel it over TLS or a VPN.
Should I open port 70 on my firewall?
Only if you specifically need Gopher. Expose it to the smallest set of trusted sources, and never open database or Windows-service ports to the whole internet.