Your server communicates through multiple “ports,” and each port is designed to handle a specific type of traffic. Some handle website content. Others handle email, chat, databases, and so on. Think of them like different stations on a radio, each one tuned to its own signal.
These ports can either be open or closed to the outside world. When a port is open, it listens for incoming requests. That’s necessary for certain services, like serving your website. But leaving unnecessary ports open creates entry points that hackers can use to reach sensitive files or systems on your server.
If someone manages to slip through one of those open doors, the consequences can be serious. Depending on where they land inside your network, they could steal data, deface your website, disrupt your hosting, or escalate their access and cause much bigger damage.
