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  1. #1

    Do I need SFTP in web hosting provider?

    Hi.
    I've been told that connecting via SFTP is better for protection rather than FTP. But it seems that a majority of web hosting providers don't offer SFTP. In fact, I don't really ever see it advertised. Am I wrong about SFTP being better? Do most people just not care about encryption while transferring files? Or is there some SFTP alternative that web hosting providers employ?
    Thanks.
    -tres

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
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    Paradise
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    Many do not advertise it, but most host will allow you SFTP access if you ask them.

    Indeed Sftp is better, more secure, you don't want your password on a public network in plain text.
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    UK
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    You don't need it but most hosts will allow you to use it.

    It is more secure, you should use it.
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    NC
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    3,093
    Along with that don't save your passwords in the SFTP/FTP client. There have been a few different viruses/worms going around that steal the password then exploit your sites using it.
    John W, CISSP, C|EH
    MS Information Security and Assurance
    ITEagleEye.com - Server Administration and Security
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    India
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    858
    SFTP is better, it depends on how secure your network is.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Jakarta
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    1,098
    My client asked me if he could use SFTP to transfer encrypted files securely, I just knew that the default port for that SFTP was not enabled but the host provider changed/customied it with another port (2222).

    You might also want to check with your host provider if you can't connect through the standard/default SFTP port
    And sure, SFTP is better and more secure than standard FTP.
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  7. #7
    SFTP is the most secure medium to transfer files from computer to server and due to this most of the web hosts offer it. However they do not advertise it. It is little bit slow than FTP but offers complete protection form virus during transferring files.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Jakarta
    Posts
    1,098
    By the way, speaking about that SFTP, which one of these encryption methods is good/better to be used for SFTP: PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) or GPG (Gnu Privacy Guard)?
    Which one is more popular and is used commonly by hosting companies, and why they chose to use either one of them?
    Just curious and want to know the difference between PGP and GPG (cause my client also asked about it, and I couldn't give the proper/right answer).
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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    50
    Usdually it is not required. But Agree - many hosts offer it on demand.

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