File Transfer Protocol

When we transfer files over the internet, we usually use either one of two protocols:

FTP is a protocol designed for transferring files over the internet. It usually allows users to upload and download files from a central server.

What it’s used for

It’s mainly used to transfer large files over the internet. HTTP isn’t as efficient as FTP for that.

It’s also good as a central file system if you have multiple devices which all need to be able to access the same files.

SFTP (secure file transfer protocol) is a more secure version of FTP, which encrypts the data being transferred - it’s used all the time in things like web hosting dashboards and file sharing services.