If you’re using an unsecured FTP client, you are vulnerable for a possible data breach. Although most FTP servers have the ability to support secured connections, very few FTP transactions are actually secured. Unsecured FTP activity travels in eye-readable “clear text” exposing not only the data being transmitted but also the logon information (user ID and password). Compounding the problem is the fact that most users use the same password for many different applications. If a hacker gets a hold of your FTP password, they may be getting a password that is also used to access online checking accounts or other confidential data.
WinSCP is a SFTP client and FTP client for Windows. Its main function is the secure file transfer between a local and a remote computer. It uses Secure Shell (SSH) and supports, in addition to Secure FTP, also legacy SCP protocol.
In computing, the SSH File Transfer Protocol (sometimes called Secure File Transfer Protocol or SFTP) is a network protocol that provides file transfer and manipulation functionality over any reliable data stream. It is typically used with version two of the SSH protocol (TCP port 22) to provide secure file transfer, but is intended to be usable with other protocols as well.
We recommend WinSCP. It’s a free Secure FTP Client.
The only problem with SFTP is its really slugish with moving around directories. Changing the port number is also an extra measure you can take. I am not sure if this change can be easily detected though?
I’d not take the risk of using FTP.
David,
At times it does appear slow, but for the security, I can live with it.