What software is recommended for transferring files to and from the server in this class?

The recommended software for transferring files to and from the server in this class is Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). SFTP is an extension of the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol, which provides a secure connection for transferring files over the network. It encrypts both the commands and the data, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential during transit.

Using SFTP is particularly important in educational settings or any environment where data security is a concern, as it protects files from interception and unauthorized access. This makes it an ideal choice for transferring files, especially those containing personal or sensitive information.

In contrast, while FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a common method for transferring files, it does not offer encryption, making it less secure than SFTP. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is primarily used for transferring web pages and does not specialize in file transfers, lacking the security features of SFTP. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails and is not suitable for file transfers. The secure nature of SFTP makes it the appropriate choice for safe and effective file transfers in this context.