We earn commission when you buy through affiliate links.

This does not influence our reviews or recommendations.Learn more.

Lets look at how to safely connect to a cloud server via SFTP in two simple ways with FileZilla.

filezilla-interface

Connecting to your server seems a very niche thing reserved for tech-savvy individuals.

However, FileZilla makes it look really simple.

Plus, its open-source and free (with a Pro version).

quickconnect

Besides, it supports SFTP (a secure way) to cloud connect.

But Why SFTP?

This stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol.

ssh-keys

Now you have no options if your server is configured to accept only SFTP connections.

You have to go by the SFTP route.

However, even for an FTP server, its always better to use SFTP for security.

quickconnect-sftp

What happens is FTP sends data in plain text without any encryption.

Therefore, its susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.

On the contrary, SFTP data transfer is encrypted and shielded from compromise.

file-manager

The only trade-off is the transfer speed which gets a bit slower.

The first isQuickconnect, and the other one is theSite Manager.

Quickconnect

As evident by the name, this is useful for quickly connecting to a cloud server.

filezilla-site-manager

Here, we have to fill in the empty fields and hitQuickconnect.

Once you are done verifying, click OK to connect.

hey remember to preface the host IP address withsftp://.

site-manager

For instance, itll connect over FTP (not safe) if you useftp://instead.

So, this was Quickconnect.

In addition, it has no option to modify the connection details of previous connects.

So, a hassle-free way to do this is the next one.

Site Manager

Site Managerhelps you manage connections with ease.

Once added, it’s possible for you to easily connect to the listed server with just a click.

The best option is to use Site Manager while being connected with Quickconnect.

This way, you know that the credentials are correct and everything is working as expected.

ClickFilein the top menu.

Either way, one will land in the Site Manager window.

Once done, clickConnectorOK.

In addition, you might enter the Site Manager again to modify the connection parameters.

So this was using FileZilla to connect with SFTP.

Still, sometimes we dont want the extra security and rather prefer the FTP.

In that case, here is a fewFTP server softwareto transfer files, including the already discussed FileZilla.