FTP is a way to transfer files online. You might think of the sites you visit in your browser as “the internet,” but your browser only uses one protocol: HTTP. There are many other protocols that, collectively, make up the internet. IMAP and POP, for instance, are two protocols that email clients use to send and receive messages. XMPP is a protocol used to send and receive instant messages. FTP is another such protocol.
FTP stands for “File Transfer Protocol.” It’s also one of the oldest protocols in use today and is a convenient way to move files around. An FTP server offers access to a directory, with sub-directories. Users connect to these servers with an FTP client, a piece of software that lets you download files from the server, as well as upload files to it.
Many internet users will never have any use for FTP, but it does have important uses, especially for those interested in studying internet data from the ground up. Here’s what you should know.
What is FTP for?
FTP is a useful tool for moving information from the computer you’re working on to the server where a website is hosted. If you want to install WordPress on a web server, for example, you’re going to need FTP to copy the files over.
It’s also occasionally used as a way to share files. One person may upload a file to an FTP server then share a link to it with another person. This sort of usage has become less common in the age of easy-to-use cloud services (these are our favorites) but some people prefer to have their files hosted on a home server, and use FTP to enable that.
FTP is one of the simplest, and earliest formats created to quickly move files from one device to another. It has its origins all the way in 1971, when the first version was created and published by Abhay Bhushan. In the 1980s, the FTP format was updated to the TCP/IP version associated with servers.
FTP uses two basic channels to operate. The command channel carries information about the task itself — what files are to be accessed, if commands are registering, etc. The data channel then transfers the actual file data between devices.
These FTP connections can also have active and passive modes. Active modes are the most common, and allow open communication between the server and the device over both channels, with the server taking an active role in establishing the connection by approving requests for data. However, this mode can be disrupted by firewalls and similar issues, so there’s also a passive mode where the server pays attention but doesn’t actively maintain the connections, allowing the other device to do all the work.
What exactly is FTP still used for?
Not much. Platforms that still offer FTP downloads or support transfers largely do so out of habit, and even this is no longer common (more on this below). The two primary modern uses for FTP are:
- Hobbies and teaching: FTP is a casual way to introduce newcomers to internet protocols before moving on to more complex versions, making it a good starter tool. Some people also build FTP file systems out of a sense of nostalgia or just for fun.
- Moving large numbers of server files in house: Some IT professionals may choose to use FTP when moving server files within a closed system for an organization. In this case, there aren’t security concerns, and FTP may be the easiest way the IT workers know to move large amounts of files.
What does FTP look like?
Although it depends on what client you use to manage the files, it essentially looks like the other files on your computer. There’s a hierarchical folder structure, which you can explore in a similar fashion to Windows Explorer or Finder.
You can get an idea of this by browsing a public FTP server. For example, Adobe offers downloads of all its software via FTP, for customers who own software like Photoshop with a valid product key but don’t have their installation CD handy. Browsers such as Chrome and Firefox also support exploring FTP servers (but not uploading files).
On Reddit, r/opendirectories is an entire community dedicated to sharing publicly accessible FTP servers. However, many of these directories are full of pirated content, porn, and a similar combination thereof.
Using FTP to download files in this way is relatively rare. For the most part, FTP is used to upload files from your computer to a server you’re working on.
Is FTP secure?
Not by design, no. FTP dates back to a time long before cybersecurity was much more than a hypothetical field. This means that FTP transfers aren’t encrypted, so it’s relatively easy to intercept files for anyone capable of packet sniffing.
For this reason, many people use FTPS or SFTP instead. These essentially work in the same manner as FTP, but encrypt everything, meaning prying eyes can’t read any files, even if they could intercept them. At this point, many servers refuse to offer unencrypted access, and instead, offer only FTPS or SFTP. SFTP in particular is a more advanced option that uses SSH protocols and packets, and has little in common with FTP despite the acronym.
Which FTP clients are the best?
FileZilla and CyberDuck are two of our favorites FTP clients which we can recommend wholeheartedly. They’re fully featured and have been around for years, so have established, refined user interfaces and tools to make your FTP transfer process quick and easy. If you want more examples of good FTP clients, check out our guide to the best of the best FTP clients.
Can I set up my own FTP server?
The short answer, is yes. Windows and Mac users can download and run FileZilla server. Mac users, however, don’t need any third-party software: Just head to Sharing in System Preferences, then enable Remote Login. This will enable an FTPS server on your Mac, thus granting you a secure way to browse your computer and grab files with any FTP client.
You’ll need an FTP client installed on another computer in order to browse your files, though. Just use the IP address for the computer you previously set up as a server.
To access files from outside your home network, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router. And if you plan on making an FTP server accessible online, it’s a good idea to lock it down with encryption. For more detailed information on setting up an FTP server on your Android phone or tablet, check out our full guide.
The future phasing out of FTP
Support for FTP is dropping, especially when replacement options like SFTP make so much more sense. 2020 looks like it will be the final nail in the coffin for this earliest of online protocols. In early 2020, the latest version of Chrome came out with FTP switched off by default for the first time. It can still be enabled with a command-line change, but by version 82 it was completely removed.
The same is true of Firefox, which removed FTP from its code in spring of 2020 and will only be offering extended support until 2021. Safari can display FTP info but will default to Finder for all directories.
Changes like these mean FTP is destined to become a thing of the past, as far as practical applications go. Those who still use FTP for any meaningful tasks should find an alternative ASAP.
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