File Transfer

This example illustrates uploading image files to the images folder within the PUBLIC_HTML folder.

Uploading lots of files?

Use an FTP Client (see below).

Or first compress files using a Zip utility and the extract files from the Zip after it has uploaded.

Remember to remove the Zip file from the server when done.

Steps

Follow these steps to upload image files using File Manager:

1. Navigate to the Images folder.
2. Select Upload from the menu at the top of the screen.

Your files will be uploaded as soon as you either:

• drag and drop files from your computer into the box labelled Drop files here, or
• browse your computer and select files.

Check the Overwrite existing files box if you want to replace files of the same name which already exist in the destination folder.

This example illustrates downloading a Backup archive from a folder called mybackups using File Manager.

1. Navigate to the mybackups folder within the HOME directory.
2. Click the name of the Backup archive.
3. Select Download from the menu at the top of the screen.
4. Click SAVE in the pop-up window.
5. The download will commence.

Alternative Step 2: right-click and select Download from the pop-up menu.

Note: Image shows Backup Archive created using cPanel Backup Wizard (format = TAR.GZ).

Why we recommend instead using an FTP Client

The process of downloading Backup archives using the File Manager is via the web browser.

There is a small risk of Backups being corrupted when archives are downloaded via a web browser.

The bigger the Backup archive the greater the risk of a Backup archive being corrupted.

Read more: How to back up your website.

The mybackups folder

We recommend creating a folder called mybackups outside of PUBLIC_HTML for the purpose of storing Backup archives.

To find out why read our separate article.

Read: How to back up your website.

Reason: using FTP protocol sends data from your machine to the server in unencrypted form.

Your FTP username and password will be transmitted in the clear, making it easy for a hacker to "sniff" your password.

If you do use the FTP protocol then you should change your Hosting Control Panel password as soon as possible after transferring files to or from the server.

This will reduce the risk of website and hosting account compromise.

Use the SFTP or FTPS protocol instead.

SFTP = SSH or Secure File Transfer Protocol.

FTPS = File Transfer Protocol using SSL/TLS.

Using SFTP or FTPS protocol will ensure that data is encrypted between your machine and the server, making it harder for a hacker to "sniff" your password.

Tips

Choose a hosting provider which supports connection by FTP client using the SFTP protocol.

If connecting using the FTPS protocol check that your domain is using a valid SSL certificate before you begin.

Never save your user credentials in your FTP Client's cache (short term memory).

If your computer ever gets hacked this cache will be targeted and your user credentials harvested.

These credentials are the same ones as used to sign into your Hosting Control Panel.

If a hacker gets hold of them they can do anything on the server you can do, including access your mailboxes.

Always clear your FTP Client's Cache

Here's how when you use FileZilla.

In the Quick Connect Bar you will see a button with a down arrow next to it - see image.

The button is labelled Quickconnect.

When finished transferring files, select the down arrow and:

• select Clear connect bar,
• select Clear history

before you close the FileZilla window.

Select Transfer > Transfer Type from the menu at the top of the Filezilla screen and then select BINARY.

Important1072

If instead you use the Auto or ASCII transfer type then your Backup archives may be corrupted during the transfer process.

Never transfer a Backup archive to or from the server using any Transfer Type other than Binary.

Only use Binary.

The image shows transfer of a Backup archive:

• from the mybackups folder on the server (on the right),
• to a folder called mybackups on a device (on the left).

Important: make sure you have set the Transfer Type to be Binary before you begin.

Note: Image shows Backup Archive created using Akeeba Backup (format = JPA).

Click image to see larger version.

Tips

Use the left panel to find the folder on your device to which you want to download files to before you connect to the server.

To transfer one file simply double click the file. When you do the transfer will commence.

To transfer several files at a time, first highlight the files, then right-click with your mouse and select the download option. The transfer will commence.

The image shows transfer of an image file:

• from a folder called mypictures on a device (on the left),
• to the images folder on the server (on the right).

Click image to see larger version.

Tips

Use the right panel to find the folder on the server to which you want to upload files to before you do anything else.

To transfer one file simply double click the file. When you do the transfer will commence.

To transfer several files at a time, first highlight the files, then right-click with your mouse and select the download option. The transfer will commence.