Need secure file transfer

[Nonprofit]

Hi all,

I have a need to transfer large amount sof data securely. The person sending us the data suggested VPN, but it seems like secure FTP might be easier to setup than configuring VPN clients et al. If you think I am going down the wrong path here, please let me know...

But if not, I am looking for a walk-through, how-to guide on setting up a secure FTP server using Filezilla. My apologies as I assume this is an obvious, oft asked question, but I didn't see a sticky for it and my searches turned up nothing comprehensive. Is there a source of info on this that is all inclusive? I.e: Here is what you need, here is what you need to activate, and here is how you do it, step by step.

Thanks in advance.

[botg]

Go to SSL page in settings, enable it and generate a new self-signed certificate. Check the two force options if you want to disallow unencrypted connections. Nothing complex about it.

[boco]

Want something to read? http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FTPS_ ... o_(Server)

[Nonprofit]

Thanks for the replies.

I know this all seems basic. But even terms like SSL are not obvious to all. Since you both mentioned it, I looked into it and found lots of opinions about SSL vs SSH. Further confusing the issue for me of course... which is why I was hoping there was an easy "so you want to transfer data securely" sort of guide to follow.

[jdratlif]

Consult your local library or bookstore for a copy of FTP for Dummies.

VPN is overkill for your needs. SSL = Secure Socket Layers. It's like a tunnel for your data where everything is safe. It was used to make FTP more secure. SFTP is not FTP at all. It's an FTP-like interface using SSH (Secure Shell).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTPS - FTP over SSL (FileZilla Server supports this)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSH_File_Transfer_Protocol - SSH File Transfer Protocol (FileZilla Server DOESN'T do this, but the client can)

If you just need someone to tell you what to do, then do this: Install FileZilla Server on the machine you want to files to be transferred TO. Use FileZilla client on any machine you want to send files FROM. I can't help you configure FileZilla server because I've never done it. Consult the http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/ wiki for that.

[boco]

I looked into it and found lots of opinions about SSL vs SSH.

Well, since FZ Server does not support SFTP/SSH/SCP, I'd say you have no choice. But TLS is better than no encryption at all.