FTP software

File transfer protocol (FTP) software gives you an efficient way to transfer files to a server on the internet. With FTP software, you can upload and download files simply by logging in to a special internet server (called an FTP server), then dragging the files to or from your computer.

FTP software explained

FTP software is designed for transferring large files, or a large number of files, quickly and efficiently. You may use it in a number of situations:

• To transfer files to someone else. You upload them to a server, then the person receiving them can log in and download them. It’s much more reliable than email for sending large files.
• To transfer files securely. FTP software can encrypt files before sending them. This means it’s a good way to transfer private data – and definitely much safer than using normal email.
• To create a website. When you build a site, you may be required to upload the files over FTP. It’s efficient, especially if your website has hundreds of files. You can drag them in one go, rather than doing one at a time.

If you’ve ever downloaded a large file from the internet, you may have used FTP without realizing it. Most web browser software includes basic FTP features – but dedicated FTP software gives you much more flexibility.

Getting started with FTP software

Whether you’re uploading or downloading files via FTP, the basic process is the same. You simply connect to your FTP server by typing in its address, plus the username and password, if required. Then you can drag and drop files to upload or download.

Within FTP, there are a number of different ways to transfer files. Some are more secure than others – but they aren’t always compatible, so it’s important you check that your FTP software can connect to the type of FTP server you’ll be using.

Some FTP software allows you to connect to more than one FTP server at once, or to download or upload several files at a time. These features are useful if you use FTP frequently. If your internet connection is unreliable, also look for FTP software that can resume file downloads if they get interrupted.

FTP is one of the most common ways of transferring files over the internet. Using reliable FTP software ensures you send and receive files as quickly and securely as possible.