[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”25px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Most people know or have a decent understanding of what file transfer protocol (FTP) is. The word is often thrown around as a blanket term for file transfer\u2026which is not the case. So, how does FTP protocol work and how do people use it exactly? We offer these answers below. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px|0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||10px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jump to section:<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px|0px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text module_id=”what-is-ftp” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n File transfer protocol (FTP) is a network protocol used for file sharing between computers on a Transmission Control Protocol\/Internet Protocol (TCP\/IP) network. In other words, the internet (but not always).<\/p>\n There are all kinds of paid and open-source FTP options available. One of the longest-running FTP services, FileZilla, is an open-source application built in 2001.<\/p>\n Fun fact: FileZilla was conceived as a computer science <\/span>class project<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n FTP is extremely well established as a file transfer method. It\u2019s been the tool of choice for years for many web developers deploying or updating websites. However, this method has slowly fallen out of favor with the rise of drag-and-drop, WYSIWYG-style web editors.<\/p>\n But FTP\u2019s long history also means it has become somewhat\u2026outdated. Many observers say FTP is an antiquated technology well past its best before date.<\/p>\n And when you consider that the first-ever File Transfer Protocol, <\/span>RFC 114<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>was written by then-student at MIT, Abhay Bushan in the Spring of 1971, they may have a point.<\/p>\n Regardless, FTP remains in use around the world as a method of transferring sensitive data and files.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”how-did-the-role-come-to-be” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Fast and Secure File Transfer Protocol” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Try MASV” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”27px” header_line_height=”1.3em” background_color=”#222222″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#03c7d3″ background_color_gradient_end=”#222222″ background_color_gradient_direction=”206deg” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#222222″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”50px” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px”]<\/p>\n Send terabytes of data over the cloud with MASV’s managed file transfer.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text module_id=”how-does-ftp-work” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Because FTP is a client-server protocol, a sender must first upload files to an FTP server (or FTP host). The server typically requires login credentials, although some FTP servers allow anonymous logins.<\/p>\n The FTP server is essentially the hub, or midpoint, of the file transfer. After logging in, the file recipient must download data from the same server. Once logged in, users have the ability to perform a number of actions, including uploading and downloading files but also deleting, renaming, or moving them.<\/p>\n FTP uses both a command channel (for FTP commands and responses) and a data channel (for data transfer).<\/p>\n An FTP session runs either in passive or active mode. Active mode means the user proactively requests to make changes to the server, with the server creating a data connection back to the user\u2019s computer. As a result, this process can cause issues with firewalls. Passive FTP transfer gets around this by relinquishing all FTP commands to the user\u2019s computer.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”how-did-the-role-come-to-be” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”how-to-use-ftp” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n FTP is typically used in <\/span>one of three ways<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n Via an FTP client is by far the most common method used today, with several options on the market such as the aforementioned FileZilla, along with Cyberduck, WinSCP, WS_FTP, Transmit, Core FTP, and CrossFTP.<\/p>\n However, FTP isn\u2019t usually considered a secure protocol. It doesn\u2019t use encryption and typically uses clear-text usernames and passwords. This leaves FTP servers dangerously exposed to spoofing, brute force, and other rudimentary cyberattacks.<\/p>\n Newly updated versions of FTP (mentioned below) do include encryption, but the technology is still considered a \u201csecurity hole<\/a>\u201d by many IT experts. By using an FTP connection, you’ll likely run into frustrating and time-consuming firewall difficulties.<\/p>\n Because installing and using FTP servers requires certain technical skills, it\u2019s also generally a much more time-consuming (and potentially frustrating) experience for everyday users compared to simplified drag-and-drop file transfer SaaS tools.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0<\/strong>Data Theft: How Hackers Can Steal Your Files Remotely<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”how-did-the-role-come-to-be” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”ftp-types” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Several types<\/span> of FTP exist, including:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Several different <\/span>data types<\/span><\/a> are transferred using FTP, including ASCII (Type A) for text data, Image (Type I), and EBCDIC (Type E) for plain text.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”how-did-the-role-come-to-be” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Fast, Simple, and Reliable File Transfer” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Send a File” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”27px” header_line_height=”1.3em” background_color=”#222222″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#03c7d3″ background_color_gradient_end=”#222222″ background_color_gradient_direction=”206deg” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#222222″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”50px” button_use_icon=”off” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px”]<\/p>\n Ditch FTP complexity with MASV.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text module_id=”ftp-evolution” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As mentioned up top, FTP first came about in early 1971. It was designed to send files over Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET<\/a>) in the U.S., one of the first-ever public networks (and precursor to the internet) launched in 1969 and decommissioned in 1989.<\/p>\n Once the internet went mainstream FTP needed several revisions to ensure it worked with TCP\/IP: RFC 765 was launched in 1980, and RFC 959 came out in 1985, both of which added new capabilities. RFC 959 emerged in 1997 to improve security, and RFC 2428 appeared in 1999 to handle IPv6.<\/p>\n In the last few years, however, FTP has seen itself fall out of favor in some quarters. Google removed support for FTP file transfer with the release of Chrome 88 in early 2021. It would\u2019ve been even earlier but the pandemic forced a delay.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”how-did-the-role-come-to-be” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”video-explainer” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tOj8MSEIbfA” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” width_tablet=”75%” width_phone=”75%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” module_id=”how-did-the-role-come-to-be” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|143px|20px|141px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”masv-intead-of-ftp” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ custom_margin_tablet=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/massive.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/masv-security-open-graph.jpg” title_text=”masv-security-open-graph” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” width_tablet=”75%” width_phone=”75%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|-54px|||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n MASV is an excellent alternative to FTP<\/a> for those looking to transfer large sensitive files without the hassle of managing an archaic FTP server. Not to mention configuring firewalls and finding people with the knowledge to use FTP efficiently.<\/p>\n MASV’s managed file transfer allows any user to start sending files within 60 seconds of login. It has the technical complexity of sending an email. That means you don\u2019t have to sit through tutorials or training to use MASV to send file packages of unlimited size<\/span>. Plus, because MASV follows Trusted Partner Network security and compliance standards, you can confidently use MASV as a faster, more robust, and way more secure alternative to FTP.<\/p>\n MASV knows how easily data transfer can be compromised. It\u2019s why we\u2019ve built our file sharing solution from the ground up with security in mind<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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What is FTP?<\/h2>\n
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How Does File Transfer Protocol Work?<\/h2>\n
How to Use File Transfer Protocol?<\/h2>\n
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Types of FTP<\/h2>\n
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The Evolution of File Transfer Protocol<\/h2>\n
FTP Video Explainer<\/h2>\n
You Can Use MASV Instead of FTP<\/h2>\n