Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
What is Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)?
Secure File Transfer Protocol, or SFTP, is a protocol that securely transfers files and manages remote file operations over an encrypted SSH connection.
Examples
- A system administrator uses SFTP to upload website backups to a remote Linux server without exposing usernames, passwords, or file contents in plain text.
- A business exchanges sensitive reports with a partner through SFTP so the files are encrypted while moving across the network.
Discover 🔎
Moving files between systems is a routine part of computing, but routine tasks can still carry serious security risk. If credentials or file contents travel openly across the network, anyone in the right position may be able to read or intercept them. That is why secure transfer methods became so important.
SFTP solves that problem by combining file transfer with the protection of SSH. Instead of treating file movement as a plain network action, it places the transfer inside an encrypted and authenticated session. This makes SFTP one of the most common secure choices when organizations need to move files between systems safely.
Summary 📝
SFTP is a secure file transfer protocol that works over SSH rather than over traditional FTP. It protects credentials and file contents during transfer and also supports remote file operations inside the same secure session. Its main strength is that it combines strong transport protection with a simpler connection model than older FTP-based methods.
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