I have always used FTP to upload files to my website, by my friends keep telling me I should switch to SFTP. What’s the difference between FTP and SFTP?
The difference between FTP and SFTP is a big one, my friend. The difference is security.
Definition of SFTP
FTP is an unencrypted protocol — everything, including your FTP password, is transmitted back and forth between the client and server in plain text. Transmitting anything even remotely important over an FTP connection is a bad idea — especially if you are using an unsecured connection, or a publicly available network with a lot of users.
The Secure File Transfer Protocol is an improvement over FTP that lends much more privacy to your connection. SFTP is a protocol that allows you to transfer and work with files over a secured, encrypted connection. If someone were to spy on your network activity, they would not be able to easily see what you are transmitting.
SFTP Software
There are many different SFTP clients available. I use WinSCP when I’m on a Windows PC, and Fugu on a Mac. Have your own favorite software? Feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments.
