FTPSFTPFTPS

FTPSFTPFTPS is not a standard protocol but a concatenation of three distinct file transfer methods: FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. The term may appear in discussions about systems that support multiple transfer protocols or in comparative documentation. Each protocol has its own design and security model.

FTP, the File Transfer Protocol, is one of the oldest methods for moving files over a network. It transmits data, including credentials, in plaintext and typically uses port 21 for control and separate data connections. Because it offers little or no encryption, FTP is unsuitable for transferring sensitive information without additional protections. In practice, many deployments have migrated to encrypted variants for security and compliance.

FTPS, or FTP over TLS/SSL, adds encryption to FTP. It comes in two modes: explicit FTPS, where the client authenticates and negotiates TLS over port 21 (often using the AUTH TLS command), and implicit FTPS, where the TLS layer is established from connection start on port 990. FTPS provides server authentication via certificates and protects control and data channels, but it can be more challenging to configure with firewalls due to the dynamic nature of data connections.

SFTP, the SSH File Transfer Protocol, is a distinct protocol that runs over the SSH protocol, typically on port 22. It provides a single encrypted channel for file transfer and remote file operations, with authentication via passwords or public keys. SFTP is widely favored for its simplicity in firewall traversal and robust security model, though it requires SSH on the server side.

In practice, a system described as FTPSFTPFTPS may intend to support all three methods or compare them. Choosing among them depends on security requirements, existing infrastructure, and network constraints; SFTP is commonly recommended for secure transfers, while FTPS may suit environments with legacy FTP workflows.