In simple terms, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a tool we use to move files over the internet. It’s one of the oldest network protocols people still in use today. If you’ve ever downloaded something from the internet, then it seems like you’ve used FTP before.

However, we can also use FTP to download and upload web pages. The protocol is based on the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol). Each time when you try to transfer files on the internet, TCP/IP is simply sending those files from a personal computer to an online server and vice-versa.

Nonetheless, one of the major challenges we all face when using FTP is security. The malicious activities were rare when FTP was first developed. Today, the rise of cyber security threats has threatened us to be more cautious. Therefore, we should start to strengthen security as well as using encrypted protocols. If you do not want to expose your computer to those threats, we recommend you to use either FTPS (File Transfer Protocol Secure) or sFTP (Secure Shell File Transfer Protocol ).

Unlike the unencrypted FTP, data that we through FTPS and sFTP cannot be intercepted and read, which ensures that the information is safe. Both use different authentication options to protect your files. Moreover, if you’re wondering which is best for you, sFTP is a solid choice.

Why is it a better choice? Well, the major advantage of sFTP is the use of a single ‘port number’ for all its connections. In contrast, FTPS requires us to create a new port number each time making a transfer request. This exposes your information to a significantly higher level of risk.