SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, which is a network protocol that allows secure and encrypted file transfer over SSH (Secure Shell) connections. SFTP can prevent unauthorized interception or modification of files during transmission, as well as provide authentication and authorization mechanisms for both the client and the server.
FTP, TFTP, and SMTP are not secure protocols, as they do not encrypt the data or the credentials during file transfer. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) are used for transferring files between hosts, while SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending and receiving email messages. These protocols can be easily intercepted, tampered, or spoofed by attackers, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the files and the network. Reference:
CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Study Guide, Chapter 4: Network Protocols and Services, p. 173-174 Professor Messer's Network+ N10-008 Course Notes, Section 1.3: Network Services, p. 14 Professor Messer's Network+ N10-008 Video Training Course, 1.3 Network Services - Part 2, 8:00-9:00