Using Web Folders for secure file transfer
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Web Folders, or WebDAV, is a file transfer protocol that
supports secure file transfer over intranets and the
Internet. With Web Folders, you can upload, download, and
manage files on a remote computer across an intranet and
the Internet. Web Folders is similar to File Transfer
Protocol (FTP); however, Web Folders provides a more
secure environment for transferring files over the Web.
Using Web Folders vs. FTP
Protocol Password Security Data Encryption
Web Folders Always if Web server is using SSL; sometimes
if it is not Always if Web Server is using SSL; never if
it is not
FTP Never Never
Web Folders protects your password and encrypted data
when you send information to a Web server running Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL). If the server is not running SSL,
Web Folders can protect your password if the server is
configured to use Windows authentication. However, you
cannot encrypt the data sent to the server. If a server
is running SSL, the Internet address for the server will
begin with https:// instead of
http://.
FTP does not use encryption or another security mechanism
to protect your password when you log on to a server. In
addition, you cannot encrypt your data when using FTP to
send files to or from a server. This places your
information at risk, because anyone using networking
hardware or software can capture your information as it
is transferred.
Using Web Folders to transfer files, folders, and other
data to Web servers running SSL is the safest way to
transfer information. Also, home users should enable a
personal firewall for maximum protection. For more
information, click Related Topics.
To learn how to use Web Folders to send a file or folder
to a Web server, see To send a file to a Web server that
uses Web Folders.
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