FTP

File Transfer Protocol is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server. It operates in the Application layer and uses various authentication methods, including username and password authentication.

Similar to Telnet, it sends data in plain text, making it vulnerable to eavesdropping, supports different network configurations to handle firewalls and NAT. Uses usually port 21, known as Control Channel, to handle commands and responses, and port 20, known as Data Channel, to transfer files.

Interaction with the protocol

• Install

sudo apt install ftp

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• Connect using the protocol

ftp $ip
name: anonymous #Establish an anonymous connection
ftp:\>          #Text based interface
ftp:\> ls                          #List files on the server
ftp:\> ls -R                       #List recursively
ftp:\> get $filename               #Download a file
ftp:\> mget $filename $filename2   #Download multiple files
ftp:\> mget *                      #Download all files
ftp:\> put $filename               #Upload a file
ftp:\> exit                        #Close connection

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• Download all available files from an FTP server

wget -m --no-passive ftp://anonymous:anonymous@$IP

This method could be risky and trigger alarms in the system