Port 443 is one of the most important ports on the internet. All secure web traffic flows through it: online banking, shopping, website logins. Let’s explore why modern VPNs use this port.
What is a Port
A port is a numerical identifier that determines which application should receive the data. Think of an IP address as a building address, and a port as an apartment number.
Standard ports:
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | HTTP | Unencrypted web traffic |
| 443 | HTTPS | Encrypted web traffic |
| 22 | SSH | Remote server management |
| 25 | SMTP | Sending email |
| 53 | DNS | Domain name resolution |
Port 443 and HTTPS
HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is the secure version of HTTP. It uses TLS encryption (formerly SSL) to protect data between browser and server.
When you open a site with https://:
- Browser connects to server via port 443
- TLS handshake occurs (key exchange)
- Encrypted channel is established
- All data is transmitted encrypted
What Your ISP Sees
With HTTPS connection, your ISP sees:
- IP address of the server you’re connecting to
- Domain name (via SNI)
- Amount of data transferred
Your ISP doesn’t see:
- Page contents
- URL after domain (
/page/123) - Form data, passwords, messages
Why VPNs Use Port 443
Port 443 provides advantages for VPN:
1. Port is Always Open
Port 443 is necessary for HTTPS to work, so it’s open on virtually any network.
2. Disguised as Regular Traffic
VPN traffic through port 443 looks like regular website visits.
3. Works in Corporate Networks
Corporate firewalls usually allow outgoing connections to port 443. VPN through this port works even in the office.
How VLESS+Reality Works
Regular VPN through port 443 can still be detected by TLS fingerprint. The VLESS+Reality protocol solves this problem.
How It Works
- You connect to VPN server
- Server imitates TLS connection to a real site (google.com, microsoft.com)
- Connection looks like legitimate HTTPS to a known domain
- VPN traffic is transmitted inside this connection
Comparison
Regular VPN:
IP: 185.xxx.xxx.xxx (VPN server)
TLS: Self-signed certificate
Appearance: Stands out from regular traffic
VLESS+Reality:
IP: 185.xxx.xxx.xxx (VPN server)
TLS: google.com certificate (valid!)
SNI: google.com
Appearance: Indistinguishable from regular HTTPS
Comparison of Approaches
| Method | Port | Masking | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN (UDP) | 1194 | Low | High |
| OpenVPN (TCP) | 443 | Medium | Medium |
| WireGuard | 51820 | Low | Very high |
| Shadowsocks | 443 | Medium | High |
| VLESS+Reality | 443 | High | High |
Other Ports for VPN
Sometimes it’s useful to use alternative ports:
UDP 443 (QUIC)
QUIC protocol (HTTP/3) works over UDP on port 443. Hysteria2 uses this same port, disguising itself as QUIC traffic.
Advantages:
- Faster than TCP with packet loss
- Better for mobile internet
- Lower latency
Port 80
Sometimes works when 443 is unavailable. But traffic isn’t encrypted at port level - only at VPN level.
Random Ports
Some VPNs use random high ports (10000+). This can help in some situations.
How to Check Which Port Your VPN Uses
In the Client
Check the connection configuration. Example for VLESS:
vless://uuid@server.com:443?security=reality&sni=google.com
^^^
port 443
Via Command Line
# macOS/Linux
netstat -an | grep ESTABLISHED | grep 443
# Windows
netstat -an | findstr ESTABLISHED | findstr 443
FAQ
Does port affect speed?
The port itself doesn’t. The protocol does: UDP is usually faster than TCP, QUIC is faster than both on unstable connections.
Why not use port 80?
Port 80 is unencrypted HTTP. Modern sites barely use it. Traffic on this port looks suspicious.
Is port 443 secure?
Yes, when using modern encryption (TLS 1.3). This is the web security standard.
Summary
Port 443 is the standard for secure web traffic, and that’s why it’s ideal for VPN:
- Open on any network
- Traffic looks like regular HTTPS
- Combined with Reality - maximum masking
Tainet uses port 443 with VLESS+Reality and Hysteria2 protocols for maximum compatibility and security.
