What Is FTP
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is an internet protocol used to transfer files over the internet. For example, if you are installing software on your website (such as WordPress), you will most likely use FTP to upload files from your computer to the server. To do this you will need an FTP client. An FTP client is a program that runs on your computer and lets you transfer files to and from your web server. FileZilla and WS_FTP are good examples of FTP clients, and today more modern and convenient solutions such as Cyberduck or Transmit, which support not only FTP but also more secure protocols, are popular too.
Many hosting providers offer access via FTP or its secure variants (SFTP and FTPS). This means users can upload and download files from their server directly through the control panel or over an SSH connection. It is important to note that plain FTP itself is hardly used in professional settings today, because it transmits data in clear text. To keep your passwords and files safe, it is recommended to use SFTP or FTPS. Users may still need a client to upload WordPress files to their hosting before they can install WordPress, but it is better to choose an encrypted connection.
Besides installing WordPress, if you plan to use plugins or modify the theme’s functions.php file, you should know how to use FTP. Sometimes adding a plugin or changing the functions.php file can cause the “white screen of death” and lock you out of making any changes because of plugin incompatibility or faulty code. If you know how to use FTP, you can easily connect to the server and delete the files that are causing the problems.
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