What are the differences between curl with FTP over SSL and SFTP?

What are the differences between curl with FTP over SSL and SFTP?

Curl with FTP over SSL (FTPS) and SFTP are both secure file transfer protocols, but they have key differences. FTPS is an extension of FTP that adds support for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) cryptographic protocols. SFTP, on the other hand, is part of the SSH protocol and provides a secure channel over an unsecured network.

Which one is more secure, FTPS or SFTP?

SFTP is generally considered more secure than FTPS because it uses a single connection for both commands and data, while FTPS requires multiple connections, which can be more complex to secure. Additionally, SFTP encrypts all data and commands, whereas FTPS can sometimes leave metadata unencrypted.

Can I use curl for both FTPS and SFTP?

Yes, curl supports both FTPS and SFTP. You can specify the protocol in your curl command using the appropriate URL format, such as ftps:// for FTPS and sftp:// for SFTP.

What are some common use cases for each protocol?

FTPS is often used in environments where legacy FTP systems are in place and need to be secured, while SFTP is commonly used for secure file transfers in environments that require strong security measures, such as in financial or healthcare sectors.