How to Download From an FTP Site If Port 21 Is Closed
File Transfer Protocol, commonly referred to as FTP, is one of the Internet's longest-standing protocols for data transfer. FTP is still commonly used by dozens of update services and websites to give users easy access to important files. Occasionally, a web provider or system administrator will deny a user access to the port that the FTP runs on either for security reasons or because content from an FTP server is not allowed on that network. These restrictions can be easily circumvented by the user.
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Instructions
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Confirm that the FTP server is up and running by entering the server's host name or IP address into a web utility that checks whether a site's FTP servers are down (see Resources). Try to connect to the FTP server if the FTP server is running.
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Enable "Passive FTP" in your FTP client. The most common connection issue with FTP connections comes from connection sharing and involves the way that FTP servers initiate connections. Passive FTP circumvents this issue and is available on all modern FTP clients. Try to connect to the FTP server once you have enabled "Passive" mode.
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Ask the owner of the FTP server that you cannot connect to if they are running their FTP server on a different port. Some server administrators run their services on a different port than the default in a security method called security through obscurity. Try to connect to the FTP server on the alternate port if that is the case.
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Try to connect using Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) instead of FTP. Download an SFTP client if your FTP client doesn't support SFTP (see Resources). Oftentimes, a system administrator will restrict FTP but not the more modernized, encrypted SFTP. Most sites that run an FTP server will also have SFTP running.
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Check if you are behind a proxy server by opening the preferences dialog in your web browser and examining the proxy settings. This will be located under "Network" or "Connection" depending on the browser you use. If something is listed there, your system administrator may be restricting your access. Disable the proxy server and try to connect to the FTP server.
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Create a local port forward, also called an SSH tunnel, that forwards all of your connections through your restrictive firewall to a relay with unrestricted access. You can do this with an advanced graphical SSH client or with most any console SSH client (see Resources). If you are unable to connect to the FTP server, even with an SSH tunnel, then your connection is entirely locked down and you will be unable to connect from your current network.
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Tips & Warnings
SSH tunnels are a great way to secure your traffic while using public access points. Consider using one whenever transferring personal information from a public hot spot. Also, SFTP is an improved and more secure method of transferring files. If you are transferring sensitive information, set up an SFTP solution and turn off your FTP server.
