Internet TCP port 445 is primarily used by Microsoft's Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, which is a network protocol mainly used for providing shared access to files, printers, and serial ports over a network. It is also used by the Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol for the same purpose. Examples of software that use this port include Microsoft Windows operating systems, Samba, and other SMB/CIFS-based systems. It is important to note that this port is often targeted by malware due to its widespread use and vulnerabilities in older versions of the SMB protocol.
TCP port 445 is associated with Server Message Block (SMB), a protocol for sharing files, printers, serial ports, and other resources on a network. In the past, hackers have exploited this port to spread ransomware like WannaCry and Petya. These ransomware attacks encrypt the user's files and demand a ransom to decrypt them. The EternalBlue exploit, allegedly developed by the NSA and leaked by the Shadow Brokers group, was particularly notorious for targeting TCP port 445. This exploit took advantage of a vulnerability in Microsoft's implementation of the SMB protocol. As a result, Microsoft released a patch to fix this vulnerability, but unpatched systems remain at risk.
