Software Gadgets

Many web hosting companies strongly suggest (or even require) that their customers use SFTP (Secure FTP) instead of FTP to upload files to their web site. The FTP protocol was designed back when the Internet was young and assumed safe. It transmits your user name and password in plain text. Anyone between your computer and your web host can read this information. SFTP prevents this by encypting the information sent over the connection. Requiring SFTP is a good thing, or would be if Windows came with an SFTP client program. It doesn't. While commercial companies have stepped in with SFTP software, it can be fairly expensive.

Fortunately, there is WinSCP. WinSCP started out years ago as a free Windows version of the unix SCP (secure copy) program, but has expanded so that its main focus is the newer and much easier to use SFTP.

From the WinSCP web site:

WinSCP is an open source freeware SFTP client for Windows using SSH. Legacy SCP protocol is also supported. Its main function is safe copying of files between a local and a remote computer.

Features

* Graphical user interface
* Translated into several languages
* Integration with Windows (drag&drop, URL, shortcut icons)
* All common operations with files
* Support for SFTP and SCP protocols over SSH-1 and SSH-2
* Batch file scripting and command-line interface
* Directory synchronization in several semi or fully automatic ways
* Integrated text editor
* Support for SSH password, keyboard-interactive, public key and Kerberos (GSS) authentication
* Integrates with Pageant (PuTTY authentication agent) for full support of public key authentication
* Windows Explorer-like and Norton Commander-like interfaces.
* Optionally stores session information.
* Optionally supports standalone operation using a configuration file in place of registry entries, suitable for operation from removable media

I used WinSCP years ago when it just handled SCP. It was a pain to use. I did not like it and once I no longer needed it, I refused to look at it again -- until now. It has really improved. It has gone from a program that I would only recommend if one had to use it to a program that is a match for many commercial SFTP programs.

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Operating System: Windows
License: Open Source
Price: Free
Version Reviewed: 3.8.1
Web Site: http://winscp.net/eng/index.php
See Screenshots