Have you ever seen the address 12.34.56.78:80:1080 in your browser, logs, or forum questions and wondered what on earth it is? You are not alone. Thousands of beginners type exactly this string when they try to reach a web server or set up a proxy. This article explains everything in very simple words, so even a complete beginner can understand 12.34.56.78:80:1080 and never get stuck again.
What Does 12.34.56.78:80:1080 Actually Mean?
In normal computer language, an IP address with a port looks like this:
- Correct → 12.34.56.78:80 (IP + one port)
- Correct → 12.34.56.78:1080 (IP + one different port)
The two colons in 12.34.56.78:80:1080 are wrong. Standard rules say you can only have one port after the IP address. When people write 12.34.56.78:80:1080, they are mixing two different ideas at the same time:Software Error RCSDASSK – Easy Fixes
- Port 80 → the normal port for web pages (HTTP)
- Port 1080 → the normal port for a SOCKS proxy (a tool that hides or redirects your internet traffic)
Your browser or program reads only the first port (80) and throws the rest away. That is why the page never loads and you feel frustrated.
Why Do Beginners Create 12.34.56.78:80:1080?
Most of the time, the person who types 12.34.56.78:80:1080 is doing one of these things:
- Setting up a local web server with WAMP, XAMPP, or Apache on their own computer.
- Seeing the message “port 80 is already in use” (often because Skype, IIS, or another program is using it).
- Trying to use a SOCKS proxy at the same time.
- Copying wrong examples from old forums.
Real example from real life: many users on the official WampServer forum and Stack Overflow write exactly 12.34.56.78:80:1080 when they ask “why can’t I open my site1?”
Common Situations That Lead to 12.34.56.78:80:1080 Confusion
Situation 1 – Port 80 Conflict on Windows
Windows sometimes keeps port 80 busy. When you start WAMP or XAMPP, the tray icon stays orange instead of green. Beginners then try strange addresses like 12.34.56.78:80:1080 hoping it will work.
Fix: Change Apache to listen on a different port (for example 8080).
Situation 2 – Mixing Web Server and Proxy Ports
Some people run a web server on port 80 and a SOCKS proxy on port 1080 on the same computer. They think they need to write both ports together. That never works.
Fix: Use two different addresses:
- Web page → http://12.34.56.78:80
- Proxy → socks://12.34.56.78:10802
Situation 3 – Copy-Paste Mistakes
Old forum answers sometimes show wrong examples. New users copy 12.34.56.78:80:1080 without understanding.185.63.263.20 – Easy Guide to This IP in Your Logs
How to Correctly Use Ports – Step-by-Step Guides
Guide 1: Change Apache Port in WAMP/XAMPP (Most Common Fix)
- Left-click the WAMP icon → Apache → httpd.conf
- Find the line that says Listen 80
- Change it to Listen 8080 (or any free port)
- Save the file and restart Apache
- Now open your browser and go to http://12.34.56.78:8080
Many people solved the exact same problem this way on Stack Overflow.
Guide 2: Check Which Program Uses Port 80
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type:
netstat -aon | findstr :80
You will see the program ID (PID). Then open Task Manager → Details tab → find that PID and stop the program (often “System” or “http.sys”).
Guide 3: Set Up a Simple SOCKS Proxy on Port 1080
If you really need a proxy on port 1080, use tools like:
- Shadowsocks
- Dante Server
- 3Proxy
Never mix it with the web server address.
Why 12.34.56.78:80:1080 Appears in Google Analytics and Logs
Website owners sometimes see 12.34.56.78:80:1080 as a search keyword or page request in tools like Looker Studio (Google Data Studio). This means real visitors arrived at your site after typing this wrong address somewhere else. It is a clear sign that beginners are confused and need simple help pages exactly like this one.
- Always test localhost first
- Use port 8080 or 8081 for local development – they are almost never busy
- Never write two colons in an address
- Keep your httpd.conf file backed up before you change it
- Use the free tool “CanYouSeeMe.org” to check if a port is open from outside
FAQ – Everything You Need to Know About 12.34.56.78:80:1080
What exactly is 12.34.56.78:80:1080?
It is not a real or valid address. It is a common typing mistake where someone puts two ports (80 and 1080) after an IP address. Normal addresses only use one port, for example 12.34.56.78:80 or 12.34.56.78:1080.
Why do I see 12.34.56.78:80:1080 in my Google Analytics or server logs?
Real visitors typed this wrong address somewhere (browser, forum, or software) and ended up on your site by accident. It usually means beginners are confused about ports and are searching for help.
Is 12.34.56.78:80:1080 a virus or hacking attempt?
No, almost never. It is just a beginner’s mistake. Real hackers do not type double ports – they know the correct syntax.
Can an IP address have two ports like :80:1080?
No. Standard internet rules allow only one port per connection. You can run many services on the same IP, but each needs its own separate port number.
Why does port 80 + port 1080 show up together so often?
Port 80 is for normal web pages. Port 1080 is the default for SOCKS proxies. Many new developers try to use both at the same time and accidentally write them together.
How do I open my local website if port 80 is busy?
Change Apache to use port 8080 or 8081. In WAMP/XAMPP: left-click tray icon → Apache → httpd.conf → change “Listen 80” to “Listen 8080” → save → restart. Then go to http://localhost:8080.
Conclusion
The strange string 12.34.56.78:80:1080 is not a real working address. It is a very common mistake made by beginners who are learning how to change ports in Apache, fix WAMP server port settings, or set up a SOCKS proxy port 1080 together with a normal web server. Now you know exactly why it happens and how to fix it in less than five minutes.
Next time you see 12.34.56.78:80:1080 in your logs or someone asks about it, you can smile and help them with confidence.
What was the last port problem you ran into on your own computer? Drop it in the comments – I read every single one and love helping!
References & Useful Links
- Stack Overflow – Change port number in httpd.conf – Real questions from people who typed wrong ports. ↩︎
- Official WampServer Forum – Port 80 discussion thread – Classic example of beginners mixing ports. ↩︎