FTP and SFTP

In this article, we have covered the concept of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) along with different types of FPT session and its use-cases.

Table of contents:

1. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
2. How FTP works
   • FTP session are of two types
   • FTP is used for
   • FTP types
3. Secure FTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP is commonly used to upload and download files from a web server or other network-connected computer. It is particularly useful for web developers who need to upload website files to a server for hosting, or for individuals who need to download large files from a remote server.

How FTP works:

A user when login to the server it gains the right to transfer files. although in many cases transfer can occur without login which is also known as anonymous FTP.
client starts connections with the sever and requests to download a file. Using FTP a client can download, delete, rename, move and copy files on a server.

FTP session are of two types

1. Active mode: after a clients requests a connections via channel request the server establishes a connection and begins the data trasfer.

2. Passive mode: In this case the server sends client information needs to open a data channel, here client is initiating the connections, it works better.

FTP is used for

• Backup
• Replication
• Access and data Loading

FTP types

• anounymous FTP
• Password-protected FTP
• FTP Secure (FTPS) implicit transport layer security deafaults to using port 990
• FTP over explicit SSL/TLS (FTPES) Explicit transprt layer TLS over port 21 to an encrypted connections. This is most common practice in web and file transfer.
• Secure FTP

Secure FTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

Secure FTP is a subset of SSH (secure Shell).
SSH is a secure way of establishing a connection betweeen two computers running on internet using public and private key.
FTP uses this secure tunneling to add it's file transfer capability which does not compromise with the file transfer speed.

• SFTP is like regular FTP, but it's safer. It makes sure your files are encrypted when you send them, so nobody can see what you're sending.

• If you're stuck using regular FTP, make sure you use SSL/TLS. This helps keep your files safe by encrypting them during transfer.

• When you make a password, make sure it's really hard to guess. Don't use something easy like "password123". you should change your password once every month or so and secure the passcode in safe places

• Only let people who need to use the FTP server have access. This way, nobody can mess with your files if they don't have to.

• Make sure you use a program that's safe and works well. You should also keep it updated so it stays safe.

With this article at OpenGenus, you must have a good idea of FTP and SFTP.