risk of having passwords and data compromised.

Luckily, there is a more secure solution. The one I prefer and now use is called SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP. It is similar to FTP, but the entire session is encrypted so, no more sending of passwords in clear text. SFTP runs as a subsystem

Late one day in 2001, I was happily working at my computer when an email arrived. It was from a person I never heard from before, but we had one thing in common -- We both used the same hosting provider. He had a dedicated server that was hacked and the perpetrator installed some network sniffing software. As it turns out this software had sniffed one of my FTP account's password. Fortunately I was tipped off by my fellow customer and I was able to change all my passwords before any damage was done. From that day on, I have avoided FTP like the plague and relied on a more secure protocol, SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP.

Before we get into the advantages of SFTP, let's look at why traditional FTP is insecure. By itself, FTP provides no method for encrypting data or commands, so that everything is done in plain text. As a result, User names, passwords, commands and files can all be intercepted by anyone on the same network. This is known as sniffing which is how a hacker was able to intercept one of my usernames and password. The sniffer program listens for a particular protocol and then records the packets that it intercepts. So, anybody using an unsecured method will be at risk of having passwords and data compromised.

Luckily, there is a more secure solution. The one I prefer and now use is called SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP. It is similar to FTP, but the entire session is encrypted so, no more sending of passwords in clear text. SFTP runs as a subsystem

tware. As it turns out this software had sniffed one of my FTP account's password. Fortunately I was tipped off by my fellow customer and I was able to change all my passwords before any damage was done. From that day on, I have avoided FTP like the plague and relied on a more secure protocol, SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP.

Before we get into the advantages of SFTP, let's look at why traditional FTP is insecure. By itself, FTP provides no method for encrypting data or commands, so that everything is done in plain text. As a result, User names, passwords, commands and files can all be intercepted by anyone on the same network. This is known as sniffing which is how a hacker was able to intercept one of my usernames and password. The sniffer program listens for a particular protocol and then records the packets that it intercepts. So, anybody using an unsecured method will be at risk of having passwords and data compromised.

Luckily, there is a more secure solution. The one I prefer and now use is called SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP. It is similar to FTP, but the entire session is encrypted so, no more sending of passwords in clear text. SFTP runs as a subsystem

ile Transfer Protocol or SFTP.

Before we get into the advantages of SFTP, let's look at why traditional FTP is insecure. By itself, FTP provides no method for encrypting data or commands, so that everything is done in plain text. As a result, User names, passwords, commands and files can all be intercepted by anyone on the same network. This is known as sniffing which is how a hacker was able to intercept one of my usernames and password. The sniffer program listens for a particular protocol and then records the packets that it intercepts. So, anybody using an unsecured method will be at risk of having passwords and data compromised.

Luckily, there is a more secure solution. The one I prefer and now use is called SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP. It is similar to FTP, but the entire session is encrypted so, no more sending of passwords in clear text. SFTP runs as a subsystem

intercepted by anyone on the same network. This is known as sniffing which is how a hacker was able to intercept one of my usernames and password. The sniffer program listens for a particular protocol and then records the packets that it intercepts. So, anybody using an unsecured method will be at risk of having passwords and data compromised.

Luckily, there is a more secure solution. The one I prefer and now use is called SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP. It is similar to FTP, but the entire session is encrypted so, no more sending of passwords in clear text. SFTP runs as a subsystem

risk of having passwords and data compromised.

Luckily, there is a more secure solution. The one I prefer and now use is called SSH File Transfer Protocol or SFTP. It is similar to FTP, but the entire session is encrypted so, no more sending of passwords in clear text. SFTP runs as a subsystem to SSH, allowing SSH to handle all the session management. Since SFTP uses a different protocol than FTP, an application must be designed specifically for SFTP. There are many freeware and open source clients available, so finding one for your platform won't be difficult. Just use your favorite search engine and look for “SFTP Client.” The server you are connecting to must also be running a SFTP compatible server. Most servers that support SSH also support SFTP, but check with your provider to make sure it is supported. If not, I encourage you to contact your provider and request it as a feature.

Now when you transfer your files to you host, do it with SFTP and keep your data secure. Don’t be like me and learn the hard way with FTP.