Quick Scoop: What Port 22 Is Used For

Port 22 is most commonly used for SSH — Secure Shell — which lets you securely log in to and manage a remote computer or server. It’s also often used for secure file transfer features tied to SSH, such as SFTP.

What it does

  • Remote administration: Admins use it to run commands, configure systems, and troubleshoot devices from another location.
  • Encrypted access: SSH protects the connection so usernames, passwords, and commands are not sent in plain text.
  • File transfer: Some SSH-based transfer tools use port 22 as well.

Simple example

If you connect to a server with an SSH command, the connection usually goes to port 22 by default unless the server is configured differently.

Safety note

Because port 22 is so widely used, it is also a common target for attack attempts, so administrators often restrict access with firewalls or other controls.

Meta description: Port 22 is the default network port for SSH, used for secure remote login, administration, and related file transfer tasks.

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