Recently we showed you how to install ProFTPD in CentOS 7 and we said that although FTP is inherently insecure when implemented in its standard form, it’s still a great tool to manage a website or blog online.

Using basic FTP technology isn’t recommended as it sends logon credentials in clear text where anyone with the right tool can intercept and read the massages. If you want to use FTP technology on a secure blog, you should opt for a secure setup by using SFTP or SSL over FTP.

This blog post isn’t going to go into implementing secure FTP. In a later post, I will show you how one can secure FTP communication by using SSL or SFTP. This post is only going to show you how to install and use ProFTPD in Ubuntu so that FTP access can be granted to manage your server.

Before going forward, make sure you understand these basic facts.

  • FTP is inherently insecure
  • Most FTP servers block the root account from signing on by default. In order to allow the root user, you must enable it
  • Most FTP servers automatically allow anonymous logon, where users only have to enter their email addresses to sign on, although those access are very restrictive.
  • Anyone with an account on the server automatically have FTP access by default.

 

Once you understand those basics, you can continue with install ProFTPD server in Ubuntu to enable FTP access.

To get started, logon to your server and run the commands below to install ProFTPD

sudo apt-get install proftpd

 

During the installation, you’ll be prompted to choose the installation method that you want. There are two installation method, standard daemon and the inet daemon methods.

Each has it own benefits and risks. The standard daemon are for servers that are getting high FTP connections per day. If your site is only getting a few FTP connections per day, then it’s recommended to go with the inet daemon installation.

For this installation, we’re going to choose the standard method.

ProFTPD installation

 

After the installation, the configuration file can be accessed from this location /etc/proftpd/proftpd.conf

In that configuration file is where your settings. By default, users on the system will be able to just open an FTP client and sign onto the server with their username and password.

To start up ProFTPD, run the commands below.

sudo service proftpd start

 

That’s it!

 

Open your favorite web browser and type the ftp server IP address and you’re be prompted to logon. As I say, user accounts that are already enabled on the system automatically have FTP access.

When you sign on, you’ll see files and folders in your home directory.

 

proftpd-ubuntu-setup

 

Enjoy!

 

For more interactive access, logon via a FTP client.  With FTP clients, you can upload, download and edit files and folders directly on the server.