Port 6660IRC
_Internet Relay Chat (IRC)_ is a long-standing protocol for real-time text messaging and group communication via chat channels, widely used since the late 1980s. Port 6660 is among several ports traditionally employed by IRC servers to facilitate these communications. Despite newer chat platforms, many hobbyists and large communities still rely on IRC for its simplicity and reliability..
- transport
- tcp
- in transit
- cleartext
- assignment
- unofficial
- risk
- 4/10
- lookups
- 10,165
single transport
payload readable on path
used by convention
caution
rank 452 of 993 · top 45%
Technical Details
what runs on :6660Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a plaintext messaging protocol designed to support real-time communication within group channels and private messages. The protocol is built on a straightforward client-server architecture. Clients connect to an IRC server, which then relays messages among connected users and links to other servers for distributed communication across entire IRC networks.
Port 6660 is one of several ports (including 6667 and others) unofficially used by IRC servers to listen for incoming client connections over TCP. Connections are typically continuous, enabling instantaneous delivery of messages and supporting various commands to manage channels, users, and network status.
While IRC was initially designed without encryption or authentication, extensions such as SSL/TLS have later been added on other ports or via STARTTLS to facilitate secure communication. Many implementations remain unencrypted, relating directly to the open, plaintext nature of legacy IRC communications.
Security Information
exposure of :6660risk score
4/ 10caution
worth attention. how exposed you are depends on configuration — don't leave it reachable from the internet without a reason.
voice and chat averages 3.9 across 120 ports — this one sits 0.1 above.
in transit
cleartext
credentials and payloads are readable by anyone on path
assignment
unofficial
used by convention, not registered — what answers here varies by deployment
reachable over
tcp
every listening transport is another surface to filter at the edge
security overview
Common Vulnerabilities:
- Cleartext transmission: IRC often transmits data in plaintext, exposing credentials and messages to eavesdropping.
- Abuse by botnets: IRC servers are frequently leveraged as command-and-control (C2) infrastructures by malware authors.
- Flooding and DoS attacks: Attackers may overwhelm servers with connection floods or spam.
- Unauthorized access: Weak or absent authentication can allow unauthorized channel or server access.
Mitigations:
- Implement SSL/TLS encryption on IRC connections to protect traffic.
- Restrict public access via firewalls or intrusion prevention systems.
- Enforce strong user authentication where possible and limit user privileges.
- Monitor IRC traffic for anomalous activity patterns indicative of botnet C2.
- Regularly patch IRC server software to mitigate exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Related Ports
the 8 most looked-up other ports in voice and chat — 120 ports carry that label.
| port | service | risk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :9090 | Openfire Admin Console | TCP | Web Services | caution | 34.2k |
| :1513 | Garena Gaming | TCPUDP | Gaming | caution | 33.1k |
| :9091 | Openfire Admin Console (SSL) | TCPtls | Web Services | caution | 28.3k |
| :2031 | Mobrien Chat | TCPUDP | Web Services | caution | 27.7k |
| :1720 | H.323 Signaling | TCP | Network Services | caution | 26.5k |
| :6005 | Camfrog Chat | TCP | Voice and Chat | caution | 25.2k |
| :3001 | Miralix Phone Monitor | TCP | Network Services | caution | 21.7k |
| :9009 | Pichat Server | TCPUDP | Network Services | caution | 19.7k |
risk mix of the 8 listed
- caution100%
1 of 8 encrypted