CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)NetworkingMedium

A help desk technician needs to remotely access the graphical desktop of a user's Windows workstation to troubleshoot a software issue. Which TCP port must be open on the workstation's firewall to allow this type of remote connection?

  1. A445
  2. B389
  3. C53
  4. D3389
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. 3389

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) uses TCP port 3389 to allow a remote user to view and interact with a Windows machine's full graphical desktop. This differs from SSH, which only provides command-line access.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 445 is used for SMB file sharing, not remote desktop.
  • B. 389 is used for LDAP directory services.
  • C. 53 is used for DNS name resolution.

RDP Port 3389

Remote Desktop Protocol uses TCP port 3389 to provide full graphical remote access to a Windows computer.

  • Native to Windows Remote Desktop feature
  • Should be secured with strong passwords or VPN due to attack risk
  • Differs from SSH, which is command-line only

Memory trick: RDP: remote desktop, port thirty-three eighty-nine.

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