- Use strong credentials and TLS for signalling.
- Rate-limit registrations to stop extension scanning and toll fraud.
- Alert on unexpected chat protocols leaving servers (possible command and control).
Port 194: Internet Relay Chat Protocol
Port 194 is assigned by IANA to irc (Internet Relay Chat Protocol).
194
How irc works
Voice & chatPort 194 sets up the call (who calls whom), then the voice travels as a stream of audio packets.
- Transport
- TCP · UDP
- Exposure risk
- not rated depends on the program listening
- Encryption
- Unknownnot stated by the registry
- IANA status
- Assigned1 registered service
- Range
- Well-known (0-1023)
- Category
- Voice & chat
Is port 194 dangerous?
We have no specific security note for port 194. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for voice & chat services:
IANA registry entries for port 194
| Service | Port | Transport | Description | Reference | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| irc | 194 | TCP, UDP | Internet Relay Chat Protocol | - | - |
// source: IANA service name and port number registry
Which program uses port 194, and is it reachable?
Linux
sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :194' # process listening on 194
sudo lsof -nP -i :194macOS
sudo lsof -nP -i :194
Windows (PowerShell)
Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 194 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 194 netstat -ano | findstr :194
From another machine
nmap -p 194 -sV <host> sudo nmap -sU -p 194 <host> nc -zv <host> 194
Block it in the firewall
sudo ufw deny 194/tcp # Linux (ufw) New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 194" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 194 -Protocol TCP -Action Block # Windows
What is port 194 used for?
Port 194 is assigned by IANA to irc (Internet Relay Chat Protocol).
Is port 194 TCP or UDP?
Port 194 is registered for TCP and UDP.
Is it safe to open port 194?
It depends on the program that listens on it. Open it only for a service you know and only to the networks that need it. Use strong credentials and TLS for signalling.
How do I check if port 194 is open?
On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :194'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :194", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :194" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 194 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.