SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is a network protocol that provides a secure way to transfer files between computers. It uses SSH encryption to protect the data being transferred and prevent unauthorized access.
When transferring files over SFTP, the client computer establishes a secure SSH connection with the server computer. The user then logs in with a username and password, and can navigate the server’s file system to locate the file they want to transfer.
Once the file is selected, the client computer encrypts it and sends it over the SSH connection to the server computer. The server computer decrypts the file and stores it in the designated location.
Throughout the transfer process, the entire communication is encrypted, ensuring that only the authorized user can access the transferred data. It also provides data integrity and verification, as the client and server computers perform checksum calculations to verify that the file hasn’t been corrupted during transfer.
Overall, SFTP is a secure and reliable way to transfer files over the internet, and is commonly used by businesses and organizations to exchange sensitive data.