Internet TCP port 143 is primarily used by Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) servers. IMAP is an Internet standard protocol used by email clients to retrieve messages from a mail server. Examples of software that use this port include email clients such as Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail. These applications use port 143 to download email messages to the user's local system.
TCP port 143 is associated with Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) services, which are commonly used for email retrieval. In the past, hackers have exploited this port to gain unauthorized access to email accounts. They typically use brute force attacks to crack the password or take advantage of weak or default passwords. Additionally, if the IMAP service running on port 143 is not updated or patched regularly, it may contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited. For instance, buffer overflow attacks can be used to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. Therefore, it's crucial to secure and monitor this port to prevent potential cyber attacks.
