Telnet

Updated: 06/27/2017 by Computer Hope
Telnet session window.

A terminal emulation that enables a user to connect to a remote host or device using a telnet client, usually over port 23. For example, typing telnet hostname would connect a user to a hostname named hostname. Telnet enables a user to manage an account or device remotely. For example, a user may telnet into a computer that hosts their website to manage their files remotely. In the image is an example of a telnet session. As shown, a telnet session is a command line interface.

Tip

Telnet is considered insecure because it transfers all data in clear text. Which means if a user was sniffing a network, it's very possible they could grab your username and password as they were being transmitted. Users who are concerned about the data being transmitted should consider SSH instead of telnet.

Network terms, SSH