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Port 194 (IRC) — What It Is and How to Use It

Port 194 is traditionally associated with the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol, specifically the IRC2 protocol. While less common today than ports 6667-6669, it was previously used for IRC server connections and communication.

Last updated: 2026-03-02

Port Number 194
Protocol IRC

Common Use Cases

  • Legacy IRC server connections
  • Historical IRC network communication
  • Potential misconfiguration leading to unexpected IRC traffic

Check if Port 194 is Open

netstat -tulnp | grep :194
netstat -ano | findstr :194
⚠️ Security Note: Leaving port 194 open without proper security measures can expose the system to unauthorized access and potential IRC-related attacks. Ensure that any IRC service using this port is properly secured and monitored.

Related Ports

Port 113 Port 6667 Port 6668 Port 6669

Frequently Asked Questions

Is port 194 dangerous to leave open?

Potentially, yes. If an IRC service is running on this port without proper authentication and security measures, it could be exploited. If no service is intended to use this port, it should be closed.

What service uses port 194?

Historically, port 194 was used for the IRC2 protocol. While less common now, some legacy or misconfigured IRC servers might still utilize this port.