FTP stands for which term, and what is a key security concern associated with it?

FTP stands for which term, and what is a key security concern associated with it?

• A. File Transfer Protocol; passwords and file contents are sent in clear text.
• B. Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP); uses SSH for secure transfer.
• C. File Transfer Protocol over TLS; encryption is on by default.
• D. Fast Transfer Protocol; designed for high-speed networks.

Answer: (A)

This question tests awareness of how FTP handles security in transit. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, a legacy method for moving files that was designed without encryption. The key security concern is that passwords and file contents are sent in clear text, so anyone who can observe the network traffic can read credentials and intercept sensitive data. That understanding matches the statement describing FTP as the file transfer protocol and highlighting the risk that credentials and file contents travel unencrypted. Other descriptions describe encrypted alternatives—SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), FTPS (FTP over TLS), or terminology that isn’t standard for FTP—and thus do not reflect how standard FTP operates. The notion of a “Fast Transfer Protocol” is not a real, secure FTP variant.

This question tests awareness of how FTP handles security in transit. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, a legacy method for moving files that was designed without encryption. The key security concern is that passwords and file contents are sent in clear text, so anyone who can observe the network traffic can read credentials and intercept sensitive data.

That understanding matches the statement describing FTP as the file transfer protocol and highlighting the risk that credentials and file contents travel unencrypted. Other descriptions describe encrypted alternatives—SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), FTPS (FTP over TLS), or terminology that isn’t standard for FTP—and thus do not reflect how standard FTP operates. The notion of a “Fast Transfer Protocol” is not a real, secure FTP variant.