Secure FTP is one of the most commonly used menthods to securely transfer files across the internet. Secure FTP is encrypted through the use of the secure shell(SSH), and may make use of public/private key pairs for password-less logins.

Secure FTP is the suggested menthod for transfering files to and from your ExaVault account.

What makes SSH and SFTP so secure? In a word: encryption. When you establish a connection, the message is scrambled. Thus, were you to peer in on the connection (a process called packet sniffing), you wouldn't be able understand what is being transfered.

Were you use standard FTP (which uses an un-encrypted connection), you would easily be able to peer in on the connection (including the password) with the right software and a little know-how.

For a complete history and lots of technical details about Secure FTP, SSH, public key encyrption and all manner things secure, visit:

• The secure shell page at Wikipedia
• The Secure FTP page at Wikipedia
• The public key encryption page at Wikipedia

Establishing a Secure FTP connection is easy with an ExaVault account. In fact, it may be as simple as using the right FTP client. Here's what you will need:

• Your FTP server name: (e.g.: bobsmith.exavault.com )
• Your username: (e.g.: bobsmith)
• Your password
• An FTP client that supports SFTP

ExaVault's Secure FTP Web Client: https://files.exavault.com/

One of the great things about an ExaVault account is that you get our Secure FTP Web Client as part of the package. You'll use the Secure FTP client just like any other – except that you'll have the piece of mind of SSH encryption. For instructions on use, see Uploading & Downloading Files.

Desktop FTP clients are programs that you download and run from your computer. Think of them like a web browser for FTP sites. The advantage that desktop FTP programs have is their speed: they can dedicate all available bandwidth to transferring files.

NOTE: ExaVault will support any desktop FTP client.

✪ Recommended by ExaVault

You can also use a command line SFTP client to connect to your ExaVault account.

After signing up for an SFTP account, many people have questions about their service. Here are some answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about SFTP. If you have more general questions about file transfers, then you might want to visit our FAQ pages.

Standard FTP will tend to be just slightly faster than Secure FTP because standard FTP doesn't have to use bandwidth for the encryption. However, with an ExaVault account, the difference shouldn't be significant enough to be noticeable, let alone to worry about.

In the US and Canada, ExaVault users can expect to see download speeds in excess of 200Kb/second. For more information, visit our FTP account overview page.

Yes! All sub-accounts can use SFTP to connect.

The answer to this question is yes and no.

• Yes: Your files are inside of an encrypted connection while they are being transferred.
• No: When the files are uploaded to the server or downloaded to your computer, the files are not encrypted.

If that sounds a bit confusion, think of it this way: If you transport money in an armored car, the money is secure while it is being transferred. However, the money is not secured before or after shipment – unless it is in a safe. Therefore:

• Transferring files with SFTP like using an armored car service.
• Encrypting files is like storing information in a safe.

Yes! There are nearly as many file encryption programs as there are FTP clients. Here are links for just a few:

• Kleopatra (part of the GPG4Win project): http://www.gpg4win.org/
• TrueCrypt: http://www.truecrypt.org/
• PGP Desktop: http://na.store.pgp.com/desktop_home.html

Please see our FAQ on authenticating with SSH keys.

You can also use a command line SFTP client to connect to your server. Command line clients are most often used for FTP scripts.

For MS Windows, you'll need to download a command line SFTP client:

• PSFTP (part of the PuTTY suite)
• Kermit-FTP
• cURL
• Secure FTP Client

SFTP commands will vary between each of the Windows SFTP clients.

1. In finder: Applications > Terminal
2. Enter sftp and your server name at the prompt.
   Example: sftp get-a-mac.exavault.com
3. When prompted, enter your FTP username and FTP password.
4. If you have successfully logged in, enter ls -l to see a listing of files.
5. To disconnect and end the FTP session, enter bye.

1. Open a terminal (Gnome Terminal, Kterm, Xterm, etc.)
2. Enter sftp and your server name at the prompt.
   Example: sftp vi-rules.exavault.com
3. When prompted, enter your FTP username and FTP password.
4. If you have successfully logged in, enter ls -l OT see a listing of files.
5. To disconnect and end the FTP session, enter bye.