How to Transfer Via FTP Through SSH

Using FTP on an unencrypted wireless connection broadcasts your user name and password to anyone monitoring Internet traffic.

Uploading a file to a website often requires a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program, which moves the file from one computer to another.



The FTP protocol doesn't protect user names, passwords or the information transmitted, sending them as plain text over a network. Sending the FTP information over Secure Shell protocol (SSH) protects the information from potential digital eavesdroppers.



In most FTP programs, FTP over SSH is called Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).

Instructions

1. Open a FTP program of your choice and start a new connection.

2. Type the server's domain name and select port 22, the default port for SFTP. Enter your user name and password. If the FTP program has an options menu listing types of connections, choose SFTP from the list.

3. Hit connect. If prompted to accept a self-signed Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate, ensure the key matches your records. Certificates signed by a certificate authority will be automatically verified by the FTP client.

4. Transfer files securely using the open SFTP connection.

References

• Indiana University: What is SFTP, and how do I use it?

Resources

• Cyberduck: FTP Application for Mac and Windows
• FileZilla: FTP Application for Mac, Windows and Linux