CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which control protocol does SFTP utilize?

1. FTP over SSL

2. Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol

3. SSH protocol

4. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

The correct answer is: SSH protocol

SFTP, which stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, utilizes the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol to provide a secure means of transferring files over a network. SSH is designed to offer secure access to remote computers and includes services for secure file transfers, thus enabling SFTP to operate with an added layer of security compared to other file transfer protocols like FTP. The use of SSH allows SFTP to encrypt both the command and data channels, ensuring that sensitive information, such as passwords and file contents, are protected from eavesdroppers. This is essential for maintaining confidentiality and integrity during file transfers over potentially insecure networks, such as the internet. While other protocols, such as FTP over SSL, might also provide secure file transfer capabilities, it is specifically SSH that is utilized by SFTP for establishing the secure connection. The other options, including Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, do not apply to SFTP as they serve entirely different functions related to web traffic and email transmission, respectively.