Any FileZilla experts?

Community
1

The HDD in my MacBook is failing and I’m busy moving everything over to a new HDD.

I am afraid that when I install FileZilla on my new HDD that I won’t be able to secure FTP to my GoDaddy account?! :confused:

When I got the virtual server account, so tech there did me a favor and set something up so I could secure FTP (or whatever it is called).

I think what he did was on my server, but am unsure and fear something I’ll need is on the old HDD…

Any insight?!

Debbie

2

Hi Debbie,

Secure FTP would be setup on the server itself. Your MacBook contains just the FTP client. So technically any computer with an FTP client (like FileZilla) that is capable of using Secure FTP can connect to your hosted account at GoDaddy. It is just a matter of getting your FTP client re-configured. Not to worry :slight_smile:

3

So what did they do to enable secure FTP on my virtual server (Linux)?

I know it was a big deal and thank God they gave me a freebie?!

I definitely fear sending my log-in credentials or sensitive files (e.g. database config file) in the wide-open?! :eek:

I did take screen-shots of all of FileZilla’s current settings, so that is all you are saying I need?

Debbie

4

As Ron said, the secure ftp was set up on the host and not your machine, you are just instructing your program to connect using a secure connection.
If you export all your Site Manager settings it should take all necessary data and information with it. Then import it back once you have your new setup.
(File > Export > Site Manager tickbox)

5

Sorry for the dumb questions…

1.) So FileZilla is just an interface to my Virtual Server?

2.) If so, then the Username and Password are stored on the Virtual Server?

3.) Is anything “sensitive” stored in FileZilla or on my MacBook locally (related to FileZilla or my Virtual Server)?

4.) What would you suppose the tech at GoDaddy had to enable on my Virtual Server (Linux) to allow me to use secure FTP? (I have no clue of how to be a Server Admin or work with Linux…)

Thanks,

Debbie

6

A question is only dumb if you already know the answer but ask it anyway!

Yes pretty much.

Yes and no. As with most systems the usernames are sent to the server and compared to the hosts copies.
There are usernames and passwords stored on your local machine that are transmitted when logging in.

Yes. Now this is where it gets a bit odd.
When you connect over the sFTP, your details are encrypted and then sent. However, the passwords and usernames are all stored locally IN PLAIN TEXT - seriously wtf?!

I only found this out when I first exported FZ Site Manager so I could transfer to another machine.

When you export out it saves all the data in an xml file as shown below:


<Server>
            <Host>musicinthecity.co.uk</Host>
            <Port>22</Port>
            <Protocol>1</Protocol>
            <Type>0</Type>
            <User>spikeMcSpike</User>
            <Pass>5p1k3mc5p13</Pass>
            <Logontype>1</Logontype>
            <TimezoneOffset>0</TimezoneOffset>
            <PasvMode>MODE_DEFAULT</PasvMode>
            <MaximumMultipleConnections>0</MaximumMultipleConnections>
            <EncodingType>Auto</EncodingType>
            <BypassProxy>0</BypassProxy>
            <Name>musicinthecity</Name>
            <Comments>S19Cg5Ek</Comments>
            <LocalDir />
            <RemoteDir />
            <SyncBrowsing>0</SyncBrowsing>musicinthecity&#x0A;        
        </Server>

That is a live site (usernames and password changed obviously!) but I was surprised that it displayed the password even on a sFTP entry.

I guess its because it s a local machine but still :nono:

Not my area either but I would guess that they would have to open a secure port for you.

7

That is scary!!!

Say, if you get a chance, stop by this security thread inspired by your comments here!!

Not my area either but I would guess that they would have to open a secure port for you.

Oh, okay.

Rebuilding my machine now, so hopefully it works…

Debbie

8
  1. File Zilla is just a software to help you to connect to the FTP Server, nothing more, nothing less.
  2. The Username and Password is stored on the Filezilla which installed on your server. You got nothing to worry because it is saved on your PC.
  3. Your username and Password is stored in Filezilla.
  4. Sorry, I don’t know that either.
9

The plaintext password issue is a long-standing issue with FileZilla – from what I understand it is a design decision more than anything.

As for setting up SFTP (really file transfer over SSH) on your linux box it is probably already there if you can SSH into it. If you can’t, ask them to install SSH.

10