How do I connect to Filezilla on the web space?
You can connect to the web space via both FTP (unsecured) and sFTP (secured). We present both methods below.
To connect to the web space via Filezilla, please have your FTP credentials ready. To learn how to manage them, see the support article “Where to find FTP/SFTP credentials?”.
Connection via FTP
- Launch Filezilla.
- Enter the server name. This is usually the domain name without www. in front.
- Enter the username and password of the FTP user.
- The port can be left empty. Filezilla will usually default to the correct setting.
- You will first receive the message that the server does not support FTP over TLS. This is correct. If you prefer a secure connection, stop here and then connect via sFTP (see below). Otherwise, confirm with “OK”.
- You are now connected to the server. On the left, you see the directories of your local computer, on the right those of the web space. The data of your website(s) is always located in the HTML directory or its subfolders. Folders like LOGS or DATA are not accessible from outside.
Connection via sFTP
- First, assign one of your users the “SSH/SFTP” right in the client portal at https://secure.hosting.fr. For more information, see the support article “Where to find FTP/SFTP credentials?”.
- Launch Filezilla and click on the server manager icon.
- Click on “New server” to configure the sFTP connection.
- Select “SFTP” as the transfer protocol.
- Enter the server name and enter port 2244.
- Enter the FTP username and choose the desired connection type.
- Click “Connect” to connect directly or “OK” to save the server configuration.
- When connecting, you will first receive the message that the server key is unknown. Confirm the connection establishment with “OK”. Optionally, you can also check the box to save the key so you won’t get this alert on subsequent connections and trust the server automatically.
Understanding FTP vs SFTP in FileZilla
FileZilla supports both FTP and SFTP connections, but choosing the right protocol is important for security. FTP transfers data in plain text, making login credentials and files vulnerable to interception. SFTP, on the other hand, uses SSH encryption to protect both credentials and file contents during transfer. For most hosting environments, SFTP is the recommended choice. Understanding the difference ensures that you maintain secure connections while using FileZilla for daily file management.
Optimizing File Transfer Settings
FileZilla includes various settings that can improve performance and reliability. Adjusting transfer modes between active and passive can help overcome firewall issues. Setting limits for simultaneous transfers prevents overloading the server, which is especially useful for large directories. You can also define default local and remote directories for quicker navigation. Proper configuration of these options ensures smoother file uploads and downloads while reducing connection errors or interruptions.
Best Practices for FileZilla Security
To protect your data when using FileZilla:
- Avoid storing passwords in plain text within the client.
- Enable TLS/SSL for secure connections wherever supported.
- Keep FileZilla updated to the latest version to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Restrict access to your local machine and shared folders to trusted users.
- Regularly review logs to detect suspicious connection attempts.
Implementing these measures helps safeguard both your local computer and the files on your server from unauthorized access.
Handling Large Transfers Efficiently
Transferring large numbers of files or very large files can sometimes cause failures or slow performance. Organizing files into smaller batches, compressing directories before upload, and scheduling transfers during off-peak hours can help. FileZilla also allows queuing and resuming transfers, which prevents the need to restart entire uploads if a connection is interrupted. These strategies help ensure reliability and save time during extensive file operations.