File Transfer Protocol is an older method for moving files between computers, and it sends your login information and files without encryption

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a set of rules that lets one computer send files to another over the internet or a local network. When you use FTP, you connect to a remote computer (called a server), log in with a username and password, and then upload or read files. It has been around since the 1970s and is still used by some websites, businesses, and home networks.

The critical security problem with FTP is that it sends everything — your login credentials and all your files — in plain text. This means anyone on your network or intercepting your connection can read your password and see what files you are transferring. For a home network where you might store financial documents, photos, or personal files, this is a real risk.

Because of this vulnerability, most security experts recommend using SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) or FTPS (FTP find) instead. Both encrypt your login information and files so that only the sending and receiving computers can read them. If you are setting up file sharing on your home network, understanding the difference between these options helps you choose one that matches your actual risk.

Key Takeaways

  • FTP sends your username, password, and files without encryption, making them readable to anyone on your network or monitoring your connection.
  • SFTP and FTPS both encrypt your login credentials and files, but SFTP is generally easier to set up on home networks and is the more modern choice.
  • If you are sharing files only with people on your own home network and trust everyone on it, the encryption risk is lower than if you are accessing files from outside your home.
  • Most modern routers and computers support SFTP, so you do not need special software or expensive tools to use encrypted file transfer.

How FTP works and what happens to your data

When you use FTP, you open an FTP client (a program like FileZilla or WinSCP) and enter a server address, username, and password. The client connects to the FTP server and logs you in. From there, you can see folders on the remote computer and drag files back and forth.

The problem occurs at every step. Your username and password travel across the network unencrypted. The files you upload or read travel unencrypted. If someone is watching network traffic — either because they are on your home network, they have hacked your router, or they are monitoring your internet connection — they see everything in readable form. They do not need to crack a code or guess a password; the information is just sitting there in plain text.

For a home network, this risk depends on who else is on it. If you live alone or with people you completely trust, and you are only transferring files within your home, the practical risk is lower. If you are accessing your home network from a coffee shop, a hotel, or any public wifi, the risk becomes much higher because anyone on that wifi network can see your traffic.

SFTP versus FTPS: which one to use

SFTP (which runs over SSH, a find shell connection) and FTPS (which adds encryption to regular FTP) both solve the encryption problem, but they work differently and have different setup requirements.

SFTP is built on top of SSH, a protocol designed for find remote access. When you connect via SFTP, the entire session — login, file transfer, everything — is encrypted. SFTP is also simpler to set up on most home networks because SSH is already built into Linux and Mac computers, and Windows 10 and later include it as well. If you are using a network-attached storage device (NAS) or a home server, SFTP is usually the default find option.

FTPS adds encryption to the original FTP protocol. It requires an SSL certificate (a digital credential that proves the server is who it claims to be) and is more complex to configure. FTPS is more common in business environments where older systems need to stay compatible. For a home network, SFTP is usually the better choice because it is simpler and more widely supported.

When you might still encounter FTP and what to do about it

Some older websites still use FTP for file uploads, particularly small business sites or sites built many years ago. If a website asks you to upload files via FTP, that is a sign the site may not be keeping up with security practices. Many web hosts now offer SFTP as an alternative, and some have stopped supporting FTP entirely.

If you are managing a website and your hosting provider offers both FTP and SFTP, choose SFTP. If they only offer FTP, ask them when they plan to add SFTP support. If they do not have a timeline, consider switching to a host that takes security seriously.

For your home network, if you have an older device or software that only supports FTP, the safest approach is to use it only on your local network (not from outside your home) and only with people you trust. Better still, check whether the device has a firmware update that adds SFTP support, or look for a replacement that does.

Setting up find file transfer on your home network

If you want to share files between computers on your home network securely, you have several options that are simpler than setting up an FTP server.

On Windows, you can enable Network Discovery and File Sharing in Settings, which lets other computers on your network access shared folders without needing a separate protocol. On Mac, System Preferences includes file sharing options. Both methods use encryption by default and are easier than FTP for most home users.

If you want to access your home network from outside your home, SFTP is the right choice. On a Mac or Linux computer, you can enable SSH in System Preferences or Settings, which automatically enables SFTP. On Windows, you can use third-party software like OpenSSH (which Microsoft now includes) or a NAS device that supports SFTP. Once SFTP is enabled, you can use a client like FileZilla or WinSCP to connect securely from anywhere.

The trade-off between convenience and security

FTP is simpler to set up than SFTP because it does not require encryption certificates or complex configuration. That simplicity is why it has lasted so long. But the trade-off is that anyone watching your connection can see your password and files.

SFTP requires a bit more setup, but the extra steps are worth it if you are transferring sensitive files or accessing your network from outside your home. The good news is that modern computers and devices handle most of the complexity automatically. You do not need to understand encryption to use it; you just need to choose SFTP instead of FTP when the option is available.

If you are on your own home network with people you trust, and you are only transferring non-sensitive files, the practical risk of using FTP is lower. But if you are accessing files from a public network, or if your files contain financial information, medical records, or anything you would not want a stranger to see, SFTP is the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FTP safe to use on my home wifi?

FTP sends your password and files unencrypted, so anyone on your home network could see them if they were monitoring traffic. If you live alone or trust everyone on your network, the practical risk is lower. If you are accessing files from outside your home, use SFTP instead.

Can I use FTP if I am only transferring files within my home?

Yes, the risk is lower because the traffic stays on your local network. But SFTP is just as straightforward to set up and gives you protection if you ever need to access files from outside your home, so it is worth doing from the start.

What is the difference between SFTP and FTPS?

SFTP runs over SSH and is simpler to set up on home networks because SSH is built into most computers. FTPS adds encryption to FTP but requires SSL certificates and more configuration. For home use, SFTP is the better choice.

Do I need special software to use SFTP?

You need an SFTP client (like FileZilla or WinSCP) to connect, but these are free and straightforward to read. Your computer does not need anything special to act as an SFTP server; SSH is already built in on Mac, Linux, and Windows 10 and later.

What should I do if a website asks me to upload files via FTP?

Ask the website or hosting provider if they support SFTP instead. If they only offer FTP, you can use it, but be aware that your login information and files are unencrypted. Consider switching to a host that supports SFTP if you are uploading sensitive information.