Port 990: FTPS
Port 990 is the control channel for FTPS, FTP wrapped in implicit TLS. It negotiates the encrypted session before file data moves over port 989, unlike plain FTP on ports 20 and 21.
TCPFile transfer EncryptedIANA assigned
| Port number | 990 |
|---|---|
| Service | FTPS Protocol (control) |
| Protocol | TCP |
| Category | File transfer |
| Default encryption | Yes (TLS/SSH) |
Frequently asked questions
What is port 990 used for?
Port 990 is the control channel for FTPS, FTP wrapped in implicit TLS. It negotiates the encrypted session before file data moves over port 989, unlike plain FTP on ports 20 and 21.
Is port 990 TCP or UDP?
Port 990 (FTPS) uses TCP.
Is port 990 secure?
Yes. Port 990 carries encrypted traffic by default, so data in transit is protected.
Should I open port 990 on my firewall?
Only if you specifically need FTPS. Expose it to the smallest set of trusted sources, and never open database or Windows-service ports to the whole internet.