Which of the following is classified as a secure file transfer protocol?

Which of the following is classified as a secure file transfer protocol?

• A. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
• B. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
• C. SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)
• D. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

Answer: (C)

SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is designed specifically for secure file transfers over a network. It encrypts both the commands and the data being transferred, which helps protect the integrity and confidentiality of the files. SFTP operates over a secure connection, typically using SSH (Secure Shell) to provide this added layer of security, making it much more secure than other protocols that do not incorporate encryption. In contrast, FTP is not secure because it transmits data, including usernames and passwords, in plain text. HTTP is primarily used for transmitting web pages and also lacks built-in security features for file transfers. Similarly, SMTP is utilized for sending emails and does not focus on file transfers at all. Therefore, SFTP stands out as the only option that is specifically designed to ensure secure file transfer, making it the correct answer.

SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is designed specifically for secure file transfers over a network. It encrypts both the commands and the data being transferred, which helps protect the integrity and confidentiality of the files. SFTP operates over a secure connection, typically using SSH (Secure Shell) to provide this added layer of security, making it much more secure than other protocols that do not incorporate encryption.

In contrast, FTP is not secure because it transmits data, including usernames and passwords, in plain text. HTTP is primarily used for transmitting web pages and also lacks built-in security features for file transfers. Similarly, SMTP is utilized for sending emails and does not focus on file transfers at all. Therefore, SFTP stands out as the only option that is specifically designed to ensure secure file transfer, making it the correct answer.