How to Search FTP Sites
The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) system is mostly used by webmasters to upload and download files to their websites. However, some sites still use FTP formats on their domains as a means to share information. If you plan on searching for files on FTP sites there are two options: a browser-based approach and through FTP software.
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Instructions
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Navigating Via The Web
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Point your browser to the FTP website you want to browse. Simply replace http://"siteaddress" in your browser's address bar with ftp://"siteaddress" and then click "Enter."
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Examine the folders that are available once the site loads. These folders will include any options created by the webmaster.
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Browse the site by clicking on each folder, just as you would on the folders of your computer. You can browse through main, sub, sub-sub and other folders as you require.
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Click on the back and forward buttons on your browser to bounce back and forth through folders (just as you would when browsing websites).
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Click on files to download them directly to your computer.
Browse FTP Sites Using An FTP Client
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Download an FTP program to your Mac or PC. Filezilla Client is a good option for new users and it is free.
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Launch Filezilla and under the "host" box at the top of the screen type in the URL for the FTP. For example "testsite.com." Note that you do not need to enter in the "ftp://" information. Click on the "quickconnect" button. If a username and password is required, enter them in the provided boxes and then hit "quickconnect."
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Click on the word "Server" at the top of the FTP program and then choose "Search Remote Files."
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Leave the "search directory" box as it is when the new box appears. It should have "/" already inserted. Next to the "filename" and "contains" boxes, enter in the name of the file you are searching for. As an example, if you want to find the "index.php" file for a website, you would type the full filename "index.php" or simply "index" to find all index files.
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Click "search" once you have entered the file name. All available files for download will appear in the larger-sized box at the bottom of the window. You can also search the site just as you would in a browser by clicking on each folder once the site's folders are displayed after clicking on "quickconnect."
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