CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

Which protocol is commonly associated with Port 445?

1. File Transfer Protocol

2. Server Message Block

3. Hypertext Transfer Protocol

4. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

The correct answer is: Server Message Block

Port 445 is commonly associated with the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. SMB is a network file sharing protocol that allows applications to read and write to files and request services from server programs in a computer network. It is widely used for providing shared access to files, printers, and serial ports among nodes on a network. The use of port 445 for SMB has become standard practice, particularly in Microsoft Windows environments. This port enables SMB to function over TCP, streamlining file sharing and other network-related tasks efficiently. In contrast, the other protocols mentioned operate over different ports and serve different purposes: - The File Transfer Protocol operates on port 21 and is primarily used for transferring files between a client and a server on a network. - Hypertext Transfer Protocol runs on port 80, designed for transmitting hypertext pages on the internet. - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol works on port 25 and is utilized for sending emails between servers. Thus, the association of port 445 with the Server Message Block protocol is grounded in its integral role in network file sharing, particularly in Microsoft-based networks.