> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cajac.gitbook.io/ctf-notes/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cajac.gitbook.io/ctf-notes/connect-to-machines/telnet.md).

# telnet

**Telnet** is a [client-server](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client%E2%80%93server_model) [application protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_layer) that provides access to virtual [terminals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_terminal) of [remote systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_system) on [local area networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network) or the [Internet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet). It is a protocol for bidirectional 8-bit communications. Its main goal was to connect terminal devices and terminal-oriented processes.

## Usage information

<details>

<summary>telnet --help</summary>

```bash
┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~/Desktop]
└─$ telnet --help
Usage: telnet [OPTION...] [HOST [PORT]]
Login to remote system HOST (optionally, on service port PORT)

 General options:

  -4, --ipv4                 use only IPv4
  -6, --ipv6                 use only IPv6
  -8, --binary               use an 8-bit data transmission
  -a, --login                attempt automatic login
  -b, --bind=ADDRESS         bind to specific local ADDRESS
  -c, --no-rc                do not read the user's .telnetrc file
  -d, --debug                turn on debugging
  -e, --escape=CHAR          use CHAR as an escape character
  -E, --no-escape            use no escape character
  -K, --no-login             do not automatically login to the remote system
  -l, --user=USER            attempt automatic login as USER
  -L, --binary-output        use an 8-bit data transmission for output only
  -n, --trace=FILE           record trace information into FILE
  -r, --rlogin               use a user-interface similar to rlogin

 Encryption control:

  -x, --encrypt              encrypt the data stream, if possible

 Authentication and Kerberos options:

  -k, --realm=REALM          obtain tickets for the remote host in REALM
                             instead of the remote host's realm
  -X, --disable-auth=ATYPE   disable type ATYPE authentication

  -?, --help                 give this help list
      --usage                give a short usage message
  -V, --version              print program version

Mandatory or optional arguments to long options are also mandatory or optional
for any corresponding short options.

Report bugs to <bug-inetutils@gnu.org>.

```

</details>

## Resources

**telnet** - Linux manual page: <https://linux.die.net/man/1/telnet>

**Telnet** - Wikipedia: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet>