Port 760Name Service

Port 760, associated with the 'ns' service, typically refers to the UNIX-based Name Server (ns), a legacy RPC-based protocol used for name and directory service purposes. Once more common in UNIX environments, this port now sees minimal use but can still be found in some older networks or custom deployments. It facilitates network-based lookups of naming information, operating over both TCP and UDP transports..

transport
tcp · udp

2 transports registered

in transit
cleartext

payload readable on path

assignment
official

registered with iana

risk
4/10

caution

lookups
5,616

rank 868 of 993 · top 87%

1 other service is registered on port 760. compare all 2

Technical Details

what runs on :760

Port 760 is primarily associated with the UNIX Name Server (ns), a legacy service that provides name and directory lookup functionalities. Implemented via the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) framework, it allows clients to resolve network resources such as hostnames and service information from centralized servers. This was particularly useful before the widespread adoption of DNS and modern directory services like LDAP.

The ns service operates on both TCP and UDP protocols. The UDP mode is typically used for initial queries with lower overhead, while TCP is employed for reliable communication, larger payloads, or when UDP communication isn't feasible. The service architecture is largely decentralized, which means it can be integrated into distributed naming systems across UNIX machines.

Due to technological progress and the rise of more secure and scalable directory services, the reliance on port 760 has sharply decreased. Nevertheless, some legacy applications or internal enterprise networks might still expose this port for backward compatibility or niche purposes.

Security Information

exposure of :760

risk score

4/ 10caution

worth attention. how exposed you are depends on configuration — don't leave it reachable from the internet without a reason.

network services averages 3.9 across 604 ports — this one sits 0.1 above.

in transit

cleartext

credentials and payloads are readable by anyone on path

assignment

official

registered with iana for this service — scanners fingerprint it by number

reachable over

tcp · udp

udp is connectionless — source addresses are trivially spoofed and it is a reflection favourite

security overview

Common Vulnerabilities:

  • As an older, unencrypted service, name service traffic can be intercepted and analyzed, exposing sensitive network topology data
  • Susceptibility to spoofing or replay attacks, allowing attackers to inject false name server responses
  • Potential unsecured RPC calls may enable enumeration or exploitation of the host if not properly configured

Common Mitigations:

  • Disable the Name Server service if it is not actively in use
  • Use network segmentation and firewalls to restrict access only to trusted internal systems
  • Employ monitoring to detect unusual activity targeting port 760
  • Migrate to modern, encrypted directory and name resolution services like DNSSEC or LDAP over TLS whenever possible

the 8 most looked-up other ports in network services — 604 ports carry that label.

risk mix of the 8 listed

  • caution100%

0 of 8 encrypted