What is SFTP | Exploring SFTP.mp4

Download  What is SFTP? (Full Explanation).mp4

1. Definition of SFTP

SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol (sometimes mistakenly called Secure FTP).
It is a secure protocol used to transfer files over a network, typically between a local computer and a remote server.

SFTP works over SSH (Secure Shell), which means all data—including file contents, commands, usernames, and passwords—is fully encrypted.

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2. Why SFTP Exists

Traditional FTP sends data (including passwords) in plain text, which makes it vulnerable to:

• Password sniffing

• Man-in-the-middle attacks

• Data tampering

SFTP was designed to solve these security issues by using SSH encryption.

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3. How SFTP Works

SFTP operates using a single secure connection over port 22 (default SSH port).

Process flow:

1. Client connects to the server using SSH

2. Server authenticates the user

3. A secure encrypted tunnel is created

4. Files are transferred safely inside that tunnel

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4. Key Features of SFTP

• 🔐 Strong Encryption (AES, ChaCha20, etc.)

• 🔑 Secure Authentication

  • Password-based

  • SSH key-based (recommended)

• 📁 File Management Support

  • Upload & download files

  • Create, delete, rename files/directories

  • Change permissions

• 📡 Single Connection (simpler firewall configuration)

• 🧾 Data Integrity Checks

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5. SFTP vs FTP vs FTPS

Feature	FTP	FTPS	SFTP
Encryption	❌ No	✅ Yes (SSL/TLS)	✅ Yes (SSH)
Port Usage	Multiple	Multiple	Single (22)
Security Level	Low	Medium	High
Firewall Friendly	❌	❌	✅
Uses SSH	❌	❌	✅

✔ SFTP is the most secure and easiest to configure

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6. Common Uses of SFTP

• Website file uploads

• Server backups

• Secure file sharing

• DevOps & CI/CD deployments

• Cloud server management

• Transferring sensitive business data

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7. Authentication Methods in SFTP

a) Password Authentication

• Username + password

• Simple but less secure

b) SSH Key Authentication (Best Practice)

• Uses a public/private key pair

• More secure than passwords

• Widely used in production servers

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8. Popular SFTP Clients

• FileZilla

• WinSCP

• Cyberduck

• OpenSSH (Terminal)

• PuTTY (PSFTP)

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9. SFTP Command Example (Linux / macOS)

sftp user@server_ip

Common commands:

ls        # list files
cd        # change directory
put file  # upload file
get file  # download file
exit      # quit

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10. Advantages of SFTP

• ✔ Highly secure

• ✔ Reliable data transfer

• ✔ Easy firewall configuration

• ✔ Strong authentication options

• ✔ Supported on almost all servers

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11. Disadvantages of SFTP

• ❌ Slightly slower than FTP due to encryption

• ❌ Requires SSH access on server

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12. Is SFTP the Same as FTPS?

❌ No

• SFTP → Runs over SSH

• FTPS → Runs over SSL/TLS

They are completely different protocols despite similar names.

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13. When Should You Use SFTP?

Use SFTP when:

• Security is a priority

• Transferring confidential data

• Managing production servers

• You want a simple and reliable setup

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14. Final Summary

SFTP is a secure, encrypted file transfer protocol that works over SSH.
It is widely used in modern servers due to its high security, reliability, and simplicity.

🔐 If security matters, always choose SFTP over FTP.

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