SFTP

SFTP the SSH File Transfer Protocol, also known as the Secure File Transfer Protocol, enables secure file transfer capabilities between networked hosts. The Secure File Transfer Protocol ensures that data is securely transferred using a private and safe data stream.

The SFTP protocol main purpose is to transfer data, but it is also used to obtain general access to the FTP server's file system. The SFTP protocol runs on a secure channel – no clear text passwords or file data are transferred.

SFTP additionally provides remote file system management functionality, allowing applications to resume interrupted file transfers, list the contents of remote directories, and delete remote files.

With SFTP all the data is encrypted before it is sent across the network unlike FTP. In FTP all data is passed back and forth between the client and server without the use of encryption.

Using the FTP protocol is regarded to be very unsafe because a password must always be entered for the transfer. The password is subsequently transmitted over the Internet without encryption.

It is therefore advisable to use SFTP connections to ensure that data is securely transferred. This data transfer protocol encrypts the connection between your computer and the FTP server. Data is then transferred to your computer over an encrypted connection (SSH-Tunnel).