FTP over SSH - ArchWiki

# FTP over SSH

Related articles

- SFTP chroot
- Pure-FTPd
- SFTP

FTP over SSH encrypts passwords unlike plain FTP. FTP over SSH is not really a true protocol, it is just SSH + FTP.

This setup in particular (using pure-ftpdAUR + TLS) encrypts usernames, passwords, commands and server replies, but does NOT encrypt the data channel. This also means that there is reduced performance cost on data transfer.

## Setting up FTP with pure-ftpd

Install pure-ftpdAUR from AUR.

The configuration file is `/etc/pure-ftpd.conf`.

Start/Enable the `pure-ftpd.service` daemon.

## Set up Certificates

Refer to the documentation for more information. The short version is this:

Create a Self-Signed Certificate:

    # mkdir -p /etc/ssl/private
    # openssl req -x509 -nodes -days 7300 -newkey rsa:1024 -keyout /etc/ssl/private/pure-ftpd.pem -out /etc/ssl/private/pure-ftpd.pem

Make it private:

    # chmod 600 /etc/ssl/private/*.pem

Warning: Be aware that using 1024 bits in some countries is against the law. Choose 512 or less if unsure.

## Enable TLS

Towards the bottom of `/etc/pure-ftpd.conf` you should find a section for TLS. Uncomment and change the TLS setting to `1` to enable both FTP and SFTP:

    TLS             1

Now restart the `pure-ftpd.service` daemon and you should be able to log in with SFTP-enabled clients, e.g. filezilla or SmartFTP.

Categories:

- Secure Shell
- File Transfer Protocol