Which protocol provides secure file transfer over an SSH connection?

The protocol that provides secure file transfer over an SSH connection is called SFTP, which stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol. SFTP operates over the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol to ensure that file transfer is conducted securely and reliably. By utilizing an encrypted connection, SFTP protects the integrity and confidentiality of data being transferred, offering a secure alternative to other file transfer protocols.

Additionally, SFTP supports various file-related operations such as listing directories, uploading, and downloading files while maintaining a secure session. This makes it particularly favored for secure data transfer needs in various networking environments.

The other protocols mentioned—FTP, TFTP, and HTTP—do not offer the same level of security as SFTP. FTP, for instance, transmits data in plaintext, making it vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access. TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) is even simpler and does not provide any kind of secure transmission, relying instead on UDP, which does not include built-in security features. HTTP, while used for transmitting web content, also does not secure file transfer in the way SFTP does unless combined with SSL/TLS to create HTTPS, which is not the same as SSH.

This depth of functionality and security inherent in SFTP is what distinctly qualifies it as