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# What is the SFTP protocol?

## The SFTP protocol

SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol. This is a secure version of the [FTP protocol](https://help.ex2.com/en/article/what-is-the-ftp-protocol-jhosf3/?bust=1784819258256) that uses a [secure shell data stream](https://help.ex2.com/en/article/what-is-the-ssh-protocol-10ohmg0/?bust=1784819279302).

SFTP works like FTP if you are an end user. A SFTP connection can be used through a set of credentials and use a client to access, edit and delete files stored on your server.

The main difference between FTP and SFTP is that it runs on Secure Shell (SSH), which allows encryption of the data you send and receive. With this SSH, the server requests to provide a key in addition to your SFTP credentials to establish a connection with the server. This SSH key is a type of user authentication.