FTP
File Transfer Protocol
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
FTP is the old-school way to transfer files to a server. You connect with a username and password and upload or download files. It's simple but wildly insecure — everything including your password is sent in plain text. Use SFTP instead in 2024.
Real Talk
FTP is a standard network protocol for transferring files between a client and server over TCP. It uses separate control (port 21) and data connections. FTP transmits data unencrypted, making it vulnerable to interception. FTPS adds TLS encryption, while SFTP is an entirely different protocol over SSH.
Show Me The Code
# Connect via FTP (not recommended — use SFTP)
ftp ftp.example.com
# Enter username and password
# FTP commands
ls # list files
get file.txt # download
put file.txt # upload
bye # disconnect
When You'll Hear This
"The old hosting provider only supports FTP." / "Switch from FTP to SFTP so credentials aren't sent in plaintext."
Related Terms
Port
A port is like an apartment number on a building. Your computer is the building (localhost), and multiple services live inside.
Protocol
A protocol is just an agreed set of rules for how two parties communicate.
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)
SFTP is file transfer done the secure way. It uses SSH to encrypt everything — your password, the files, all of it.
SSH (Secure Shell)
SSH is like a secure remote control for servers.