When you connect through FTP to a remote computer you send the username and password in clear, unencrypted text. Also, when you backup your files to a remote computer, the information is not sent directly to that computer. Instead it is routed through several other computers to get there. Anyone along the route can access what you are sending, including your username and password, if the data is not encrypted. If an unauthorized person has access to this data, your account and the remote system you have access to, may no longer be secure. Backup4all solves this by allowing SSL encryption support when using FTP (and also AES encryption for the backed up zip files).
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol used for transmitting private documents via the Internet. The SSL cryptographic system uses two keys to encrypt data - a public key known to everyone and a private or secret key known only to the recipient of the message.
Backing up to FTP using SSL encryption
- Go to Properties->Destination->FTP->Edit configuration (for a selected job) or in File->Options->Online connections->FTP window (for predefined connections).
- From the FTPS (SSL encryption) list select an option that applies to your situation:
- No SSL - the server does not require Secure Socket Layer transport
- Implicit SSL - implies that Secure Socket Layer is in use
- Only explicit SSL - allows the connection to the FTP server only if SSL is available.
- Explicit SSL, if available - When SSL is available, uses explicit security by default. The server allows regular FTP sessions without encryption as well as encrypted FTP sessions using SSL.
- Press OK and test your connection