Happy Holidays! I just got the latest edition of "Linux Bible" for Christmas, and I want to get better at Linux to help manage my home server. I noticed Chapter 18 talks about setting up an FTP server, but I couldn't find anything on SFTP. I'm trying to decide between using SFTP and FTP to connect my server with my devices like phones, laptops, tablets, and PCs (including Windows) for backing up music, movies, ROMs, ISOs, etc. I know FTP transfers data in plain text, but the chapter provides some steps for securing it with a firewall, SELinux, and vsftpd. Is that enough security for my needs?
5 Answers
FTP is really straightforward to set up. SFTP requires a bit more know-how, especially with certificates. Learning FTP first is a solid step before moving on to SFTP since it’s related to SSH.
I think it’s great that you’re diving into books and trying things out! You’re right; a lot of people shy away from reading practical resources. Kudos to you!
Just a heads up, what you're reading might be quite outdated. While SFTP is alright, have you considered setting up a NextCloud server or using Samba shares? It sounds like a better fit, depending on your server's specs.
If you're only using it locally at home, FTP might be fine, but remember you still have the risk of plaintext transfers, even with a firewall. I personally would recommend SFTP for better security.
The general advice is to always choose the protocol with an 'S' at the end. If it's strictly for local transfers, FTP could work, but SFTP is usually the better option.
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