Many users of a personal computer are unaware that there are many protocols that ensure their safe browsing on the Internet. Only advanced users know what ports and certificates are and how to use them effectively. The article will talk about what FTPS is, about its differences and similarities with SFTP.
Introduction
The modern world is completely shrouded in the web of the Internet. It represents a new world that can connect everyone at once, give communication with loved ones, simplify life to a minimum. But do not forget that there are people who use even the best invention to the detriment of others. They are called hackers. They understood how the Internet works and realized the possible ways to manage it. With the help of a harmless file transfer from server to client, hackers are able to capture the accounts of an entire corporation.
Of course, do not forget that there are people who are trying to secure ordinary surfing on the Internet, as well as corporate data transfers. Prior to the FTPS protocol, which will be discussed shortly, there was the usual FTP - data transfer protocol, which is responsible for transferring information from server to client. For example, while downloading a file, the computer uses the FTP protocol, which allows downloading. Its very significant disadvantage was that it did not have data encryption, and at all, so it was not difficult to intercept data transfer.
How FTPS works
With the advent of FTPS (File Transfer Protocol + SSL), the Internet connection between the server and the client has become much safer. If hacker attacks intercepted some fragments of code, a file or entire files, then they could not extract anything from this data. Everything is very simple, but ingenious: before the file is sent to the client on the computer, it is encrypted with SSL. If you open a similar file that is encrypted, then, in addition to illegible characters, you will not see anything there. To understand the principle of operation, consider how the server and client interact using the FTPS protocol:
- A client (for example, a computer) sends a request to encrypt the data it needs, after which some operations are performed and a CSR request is sent to the server.
- Once the request has been delivered to the server, it is determined how the file will be encrypted, namely its algorithm. After that, an SSL certificate with a special key is sent to the client to perform the next step.
- Using the key received from the server, the client has the opportunity to read the information that the certificate contains (there are instructions in it), after which the keys are checked for coincidence.
- When the keys do not match or the files are damaged, the procedure is canceled and the server receives an error code. In case of successful verification of keys, the operation of transmitting encrypted data occurs.
You can decrypt the received data only using this key; there is no other way. This option guarantees maximum data security, unlike regular FTP.
FTPS or SFTP?
First you need to figure out what SFTP is. SSH File Transfer Protocol is a specific network protocol that is used exclusively to move requested files through one of the possible secure data streams. Most often used in systems where it has the following name - FTPS Windows 2008 R2 SSL. Its main essence is to interact with other network protocols, as well as to safely transfer files between the server and the client.
SFTP Pros:
- only one connection possible;
- the connection will always be established;
- catalogs are well developed, therefore, can be readable for machines (computers);
- high functionality.
FTPS advantages:
- very popular when creating servers;
- the message cannot be read by a person due to a special type of encryption;
- automatically supports in many communication chains using an Internet connection.
Also, in some cases, these methods can be combined, and FTPS SFTP is obtained. As a result, a system is created whose security is very high, but the connection speed may slightly decrease.
Conclusion
We hope that thanks to this article you were able to choose one of the two data transfer protocols for your server. It is worth noting that both methods are very effective, each has its own advantages, which must be reckoned with.