Port 8080: HTTP alternate
TCP 8080 is the port for Alternate HTTP (proxies, Tomcat, Jenkins, dev servers). Fine for public web apps if they use HTTPS; admin consoles such as Jenkins or Tomcat Manager should not be public.
| Service | Alternate HTTP (proxies, Tomcat, Jenkins, dev servers) |
|---|---|
| Protocol | TCP |
| Exposure risk | Medium: expose with care |
| Range | Registered (1024–49151) |
What port 8080 does
The usual choice when a web service can't use 80: Apache Tomcat, Jenkins, many HTTP proxies, and development servers. Some ISPs block inbound 80, so home servers use 8080 instead.
Should port 8080 be open?
Fine for public web apps if they use HTTPS; admin consoles such as Jenkins or Tomcat Manager should not be public.
Find what's listening on port 8080
- Linux:
sudo ss -tulpn | grep :8080 - macOS:
sudo lsof -nP -i :8080 - Windows:
netstat -ano | findstr :8080, then look up the PID in Task Manager.
Open or block it in a firewall
- ufw:
sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp(ordeny) - firewalld:
sudo firewall-cmd --add-port=8080/tcp --permanent && sudo firewall-cmd --reload - Windows:
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Port 8080" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 8080 -Action Allow
Port assignment per the IANA Service Name and Transport Protocol Port Number Registry. Test several ports at once with the port scanner, or any port with the open port checker.
Questions about port 8080
What is port 8080 used for?
Alternate HTTP (proxies, Tomcat, Jenkins, dev servers). The usual choice when a web service can't use 80: Apache Tomcat, Jenkins, many HTTP proxies, and development servers. Some ISPs block inbound 80, so home servers use 8080 instead.
Is port 8080 TCP or UDP?
TCP. HTTP alternate uses TCP port 8080.
Is it safe to open port 8080?
Medium: expose with care. Fine for public web apps if they use HTTPS; admin consoles such as Jenkins or Tomcat Manager should not be public.
How do I check if port 8080 is open?
Use the checker on this page: it connects to your host on TCP 8080 from the internet. Locally, run
nc -vz host 8080 (macOS/Linux) or Test-NetConnection host -Port 8080 (PowerShell). To see what is listening on your own machine, run ss -tulpn | grep :8080 (Linux) or netstat -ano | findstr :8080 (Windows).