What is SFTP and How Do You Use It to Secure Your File Transfers?

Having your private files or sensitive information hacked in transit across the internet is a scary thought. Regular unencrypted transfer methods leave you wide open to attackers intercepting everything from financial records to personal photos. That‘s why learning a secure alternative like SFTP is so valuable these days.

What Exactly is SFTP?

SFTP, which stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, is an encrypted network protocol used to securely transfer files and manage remote files/servers.

According to the Internet Engineering Task Force who helped standardize it, SFTP:

"…provides file access, file transfer, and file management functionality over any reliable data stream." [1]

In simpler terms, it allows you to safely:

• Access stored files on remote systems
• Manage these files (edit, delete, rename)
• Transfer data between systems

It does all of this while fully protecting files and commands with strong state-of-the-art encryption as they traverse the internet.

So in short, SFTP = FTP with encryption and remote file management bolted on.

It was designed by the IETF as a radically more secure successor to traditional unencrypted File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

Here‘s a quick overview of how SFTP improves security for your file transfers:

FTP simply sends everything including your password in plaintext over the internet. So there‘s nothing stopping hackers from stealing your data or credentials mid-transfer.

SFTP closes these gaping security holes by layering strong encryption and authentication on top of every transfer.

This prevents your files, commands and login details from getting intercepted and misused. You get peace of mind knowing your data stays private.

And it uses proven decades old SSH technology instead of tacked on encryption like FTPS so you know transfers stay secured end-to-end.

So if you need to:

• Stop attackers from stealing sensitive files sent over the internet
• Protect your copyrighted data like films during sharing
• Meet compliance rules for client data in finance or healthcare

Then SFTP is by far your most secure file transfer option.

Next up, we‘ll explore exactly how SFTP manages to so effectively guard your files during transfers.

Under the Hood: How SFTP Encryption Works

SFTP wraps all your transfers in a encrypted tunnel secured by the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol.

It works based on a client-server model with these stages:

1. You initiate a file transfer (or remote command) from the SFTP client interface
2. The client opens up an encrypted SSH connection to the remote server
3. This connection negotiates a fully encrypted tunnel using key exchange
4. All files and commands are then passed through this protected tunnel
5. The remote server receives then acts on the encrypted data sent across
6. Any output is encrypted and tunneled back to client over the same connection

SFTP wraps all your transfers in a encrypted SSH tunnel securing the flow of data

As you can see, at no point is any unencrypted data exposed between client and server.

The encrypted tunnel is set up using advanced algorithms like:

• AES – Military-grade symmetric encryption standard used by US agencies to protect classified data.
• 3DES – An earlier form of strong encryption now superseded by AES. But still secure if both endpoints support only older standards.
• RSA – Asymmetric encryption used initially to share temporary session keys.
• ECDH/EDH – Secure methods to exchange keys between endpoints.

In addition to encrypting data, SFTP also fully encrypts file operation commands like upload/download to prevent traffic analysis attacks.

Without this, attackers could still see patterns of read/writes to deduce sensitive actions even if file contents itself stays secure.

In short, you get the convenience of standard file transfer + the airtight security of military-grade encryption.

SFTP vs FTPS Security Comparison

FTPS (File Transfer Protocol Secure) is another popular secure file transfer standard that also relies on encryption. However it takes a less robust approach compared to SFTP:

As you can see, SFTP was designed from ground up with encryption built into every step of the transfer.

FTPS tries to retrofit encryption on top of an older insecure protocol (FTP).

This leaves gaps that jeopardize your privacy:

• Unencrypted commands still expose what files are accessed on servers
• More open ports mean more attack points for intercepting data
• Password logins offer weaker protection than SSH keys

There have been many reported data leaks in industries like healthcare when using FTPS:

"Researchers were able to use an FTPS server misconfiguration to intercept usernames, passwords in plaintext, full payment card data…" – SecurityWeek.Com

SFTP eliminates all these weak spots and ensures encrypted protection that can withstand sophisticated cyberattacks.

So while FTPS tries, it‘s still vulnerable compared to SFTP – the protocol purpose-built for security.

A Brief History Behind SFTP‘s Strong Encryption

To understand SFTP‘s securely encrypted design, we have to go back to the origins of SSH (Secure Shell) itself.

SFTP leverages decades of SSH research and real-world testing securing sensitive data.

In 1995, Tatu Ylonen a university researcher in Finland released the first version of SSH aimed at replacing insecure remote access tools like Telnet.

His goal was fixing two core vulnerabilities:

1. Unencrypted data – Old protocols sent client credentials, commands everything in plaintext allowing easy eavesdropping.

2. Weak authentication – Stolen passwords meant attackers could easily impersonate users and gain access.

So he built SSH as an encrypted alternative that:

• Secures connections using cryptographic key exchange
• Encrypts all traffic in both directions
• Uses Keys instead of basic passwords for air-tight authentication

It quickly gained popularity in the 90s as distros started bundling OpenSSH allowing Linux admins to manage systems securely over the internet.

Seeing an opportunity to enable secure file transfers, IETF set standards for SSH File Transfer Protocol building on top of SSH‘s encryption capabilities.

This later evolved into SFTP as found in SSHv2 and all later releases.

So in summary, you can think of SFTP as SSH applied specifically to file transfers.

It allowed securely managing and sending files between systems just as SSH did for remote command access.

Now let‘s look at actually using SFTP to transfer files…

Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Files over SFTP

To start using SFTP to send files only requires:

1. Installing a desktop SFTP client

2. Connecting to a remote SFTP server

That allows seamlessly transferring files through an encrypted SSH tunnel without any extra steps.

Choosing an SFTP Client

Popular cross-platform graphical SFTP clients include:

These clients make transfers a breeze with user-friendly interfaces, handy features like synced browsing and support for drag-and-drop transfers.

Connecting to Your Secure Server

Creating an SFTP connection requires:

• SFTP URL – Remote address in format sftp://example.com
• Port – By default this is port 22
• Authentication – Username & password or SSH key for login

The login prompt in WinSCP for entering SFTP server details

With those 3 pieces, you can establish a fully encrypted SSH tunnel to transfer files through.

Once connected, you can:

• Seamlessly drag-drop files for easy transfers
• Navigate remote directories like on your desktop
• Open and edit remote files directly from apps
• Sync local and remote folder contents
• Automate file operations with batch scripts

…and much more, all while enjoying complete end-to-end encryption.

Server-side Requirements

Allowing SFTP access requires proper configuration on the server side too:

• OpenSSH server (or compatible alternative like Bitvise)
• SFTP subsystem enabled
• User accounts with appropriate filesystem permissions
• SSH keys generated for authentication
• Port forwarding rules allowing SFTP traffic on port 22

Setting all this up well is critical for secure stress-free usage. But not something you need to worry about as an end-user.

Let your server admin know you need SFTP access and they‘ll take care of the specifics behind the scenes.

Real-World Applications of SFTP

Thanks to uncompromising encryption, SFTP brings much needed security to sensitive file transfers across many industries.

Secure Healthcare Data Sharing

Doctors rely on quickly transferring patient records between hospitals to coordinate care. But unencrypted protocols put confidential health info like medical histories at risk of theft.

Healthcare systems like HCA report over 93,000 records compromised in breaches when using insecure FTP transfers. [2]

SFTP prevents these leaks ensuring data stays protected. Critical when people‘s medical and financial records are at stake.

Film Studios Protecting Copyrighted Media

Major motion pictures represent hundreds of millions in studio investments during production.

But reviewers receiving digital screening copies via unsecured FTP meant films got pirated online costing studios over $150 million. [3]

SFTP eliminates this copyright theft by armoring file transfers. Ensuring only authorized parties like critics can access media.

Financial Firms Exchange Legal Documents

Banks and accounting firms need to share sensitive client data — from contracts, invoices to loan applications and payment info. Doing this over the public internet means risking million dollar losses if hacked.

SFTP acts like an encrypted tunnel preventing cybercriminals from gaining access as documents move between networks. Keeping financial, legal and personal data air tight as per compliance needs.

As you can see, whenever private data traverses the internet, SFTP ensures it stays protected.

Go Forth and Transfer Files Securely!

I hope this beginner‘s guide gives you confidence to start using SFTP for all your file transfers.

No more worrying about hackers intercepting your private data or ransomware infecting your devices when moving files.

SFTP leverages decades of SSH encryption research and real world testing to guarantee protection.

So whether working with sensitive customer records or just sharing family photos over the cloud…

You can transfer files knowing your data stays private from end to end.

Of course, it still takes properly setting up and hardening server environments. But with the power of encryption on your side, you can tackle securing critical file transfers with confidence!