FTP vs SFTP: What’s the Difference?
File transfer protocols allow users to transfer data between remote systems over the Internet. SFTP is a protocol that provides users a secure way to send and receive files and folders. If you use this protocol on servers, get a virtual server from the link to buy one.
SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, which means secure file transfer protocol, and FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, which means file transfer protocol. These two protocols, despite their similarities, have many differences.
In this tutorial, we’ll look at SFTP, how it works, when to use it, and what advantages it offers over other file transfer protocols.
Definition of SFTP
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a file transfer protocol that uses SSH encryption to transfer files between systems securely. This is a standard part of SSH version 2.0.
SFTP allows users to choose the level of authentication they want to use when transferring files. Users can transfer files using SFTP without added authentication, a user ID and password combination, or an SSH key pair.
What is SFTP used for?
SFTP is used whenever there is a need to transfer files between systems while maintaining high security.
Potential uses of SFTP include:
Secure data transfer: SFTP allows users to transfer important files and sensitive data without the risk of exposing the data to unauthorized parties. Fast data transfer is significant in remote work scenarios.
Maintain compliance: SFTP makes it easier for users to comply with security regulations such as PCI-DSS, HIPPA, GDPR, and CCPA. Data transmission is encrypted with SSH, ensuring data integrity.
Ensure data access: SFTP servers can connect to clients, applications, and others, allowing you to configure the data transfer network to suit your needs.
Data transfer scaling: Solutions like cloud SFTP allow users to scale their data transfer capabilities as their business grows.
Advantages of using SFTP
Using SFTP to transfer files has many advantages, which we mention below:
Data security
Unlike other file transfer protocols, SFTP was built from the ground up with security in mind. It ensures safe data transfer by using several security measures:
Single port transfer
SFTP uses a separate port for data transfer (by default, this is port 22). By reducing the number of ports, SFTP limits the number of points vulnerable to eavesdropping and prevents Man-in-the-Middle attacks.
Data encryption
SFTP encrypts each file during data transfer. Encrypting the data makes it virtually impossible for anyone without the proper SSH key to decrypt the file.
Authentication
Clients receiving files using SFTP must be authenticated before they can decrypt and access the data. SFTP provides the same authentication methods as SSH, including user ID, password combinations, and public key pairs.
Data integrity check
During each file transfer, SFTP performs a data integrity check. This ensures that the data has not changed during the transfer.
Achieving compliance
Regulations such as PCI-DSS, HIPPA, GDPR, CCPA, SOX, and GLBA set the secure file transfer standard. Failure to comply with these standards can result in significant fines.
Many of these regulations specify the need for encryption when transferring sensitive files. SFTP makes compliance easy by including encryption as a default security measure when transferring data.
Advanced features
SFTP also offers advanced features such as pausing and resuming file transfers. It allows users to do their tasks remotely, such as creating, renaming, and deleting files and directories.
SFTP can also transfer file metadata by default, unlike many other file transfer protocols. These include file size, date and time, and file permissions.
Efficiency and accessibility
File transfer protocols, including SFTP, make it easy to transfer large files or perform a bulk file transfer (transferring multiple files simultaneously). SFTP is a more efficient solution than email or cloud data storage for businesses that require high data traffic.
Users can also automate SFTP file transfers by setting triggers. These triggers can transfer files at a predetermined time or during specific events. This increases efficiency and reduces the possibility of human error.
SFTP supports user-to-server and server-to-server configurations. Data stored on SFTP servers are always available to users and other servers.
SFTP for ETL and reverse ETL
ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) is a standard method for data integration. Reverse ETL does the same thing, except it reverses the order of operations.
Reverse ETL relies heavily on transferring files between systems. SFTP provides a way to securely and efficient transmitter data between vendors, customers, and other third parties, whicsignificantlyly aids the Reverse ETL process.
How does SFTP work?
An SFTP file transfer starts with a transfer request from a client system. SFTP uses port 22 to open a secure connection between the client and the SFTP server.
The server then reads the transfer request and encrypts the appropriate file using SSH. SFTP sends the file to the client, which uses SSH authentication to decrypt and access the file.
How to use SFTP?
Using SFTP requires establishing a connection between the client system and the SFTP server using SSH. The nonstandard option is to connect two systems using an SSH public key.
Since SFTP is a standard part of SSH, no additional installation is required. To start using the SFTP interface to transfer files, connect to the remote server by providing a username and remote hostname or IP address:
sftp [username]@[remote hostname or IP address]
In the following example, we access the IP address 000.000.00.0 using the username:
sftp Username@000.000.00.0
The SFTP interface, represented by sftp>, allows you to request file transfers and execute SFTP commands.
When you are finished using SFTP, terminate the current connection using the following code:
Exit
SFTP vs. FTP
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol. But how is this file transfer done?
FTP transfers file directly, while SFTP uses a secure channel to transfer files. This causes your information to be always safe during FTP file transfer, and the data shared between the server, and the client is encrypted so that it is not accessible to hackers.
Another difference between FTP and SFTP is that FTP downloads and uploads data without any security, but SFTP uses SSH protocol authentication and provides a completely secure data transfer environment. Of course, you can use SSH keys to verify credentials.
It is interesting to know that anyone can access FTP, but only the site owner can access SFTP. Port 22 is not open even if the subscription is hosted!
FTP is used in a client-server architecture, and SFTP is used in SSH architecture.
File transfer with FTP uses the TCP \ IP protocol, but SFTP is part of the SSH login application, which can be considered a remote login protocol.
Two channels do file transfer through FTP, but only one is used in SFTP.
FTP can be introduced as a standard file transfer protocol that uses a direct method to transfer fil. Still, SFTPTP uses a tunneling method that cannot be considered standardon protocol.
The last difference we want to mention between FTP and SFTP is that the best way to use the FTP protocol is Filezilla, and the best way to use the SFTP protocol is to use the WinSCP service.
Conclusion
SFTP offers a reliable way to transfer files and directories with the added security of SSH encryption, and we’ve taught you how to use it. If you have any questions in this regard, you can ask us in the comments section so we can answer as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can anyone access sftp?
Access to SFTP is only possible by the site owner.
What is the best way to use SFTP?
The best way you can use SFTP is to use the WinSCP service.
