On Thu, 2002-11-14 at 14:18, David Davis (CS) wrote:
> I am trying to create an ideal secure file transfer solution using
> open-source software.  Everybody knows FTP is insecure, but what can replace
> it?
> 
> The desired features include: able to 'chroot' users into their home
> directories when they log in, ability to use existing versions of client
> software (access ftp site from a browser, ws_ftp, etc.), encrypted
> transmission of data and commands.
> 
> Briefly, this is what I have found regarding the server-side setup:
> 
> 1. FTP is good for creating chroot jails for users, but uses unencrypted
> channels, exposing commands (e.g, username/password) and data.
> 

  Right, this is just a bad idea. Recently been fighting with the boss
about not using regular ftp on our servers.

> 2. FTP over an SSH tunnel encrypts the command channel, but leaves the data
> unencrypted.
> 

  This is good when data protection isn't an issue and you want to use
any ftp client.

> 3. SFTP encrypts both the command and data channels, but chroot jails are
> only available with the commercial version of ssh (ssh.com).  This also
> requires a client/user to install software on their PC with which they might
> not already be familiar.
> 

  I like this method and ws_ftp(at least newer versions) has sftp
support built in. It isn't only available via the commercial version. I
just did a quick Google search and the first link,
http://mail.incredimail.com/howto/openssh/ talks about a chroot patch
for openssh and how to get it working. Here is another document that
talks about chrooted sftp,
http://chrootssh.sourceforge.net/docs/chrootedsftp.html and the main url
for it, http://chrootssh.sourceforge.net/

  Personally I just use scp.


> 4. Implicit or Explicit FTP over SSL will encrypt both the data and command
> channels and can be implemented using Glub Tech's Secure FTP Wrapper
> (http://www.glub.com/products/ftpswrap/).  This option looks a bit pricey,
> but sounds like the best solution so far.
> 
> QUESTION: Does anybody have a better solution than #4?
> 
> 

  If you really want a SSL ftp server check out,
http://bsdftpd-ssl.sc.ru/
Here is a list of ftp servers and descriptions, including more than one
that does ssl, http://www.linuxmafia.com/pub/linux/security/ftp-daemons

_______________________________________________
RLUG mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.rlug.org/mailman/listinfo/rlug

Reply via email to