WinSCP

Overview

WinSCP is a file transfer application that supports the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), allowing you to transfer files securely between your Windows computer and remote servers. Fleming users must use SFTP for file transfers. Plain FTP must not be used, as it does not encrypt transmitted data and can expose usernames, passwords, and file contents.

All file transfers must comply with Fleming's Secure Transmission User Standard (US-103).

Security Requirements and Firewall Restrictions

Fleming College restricts outbound SSH/SFTP connections to external servers from the College network. If you need to transfer files to or from an external SFTP server for legitimate business or academic purposes, a firewall exception may be requested. Exceptions may be permitted for a specific computer on the College network connecting to a specific external server.

To request access, please submit a TDX ticket and include the following information:

  1. Purpose of the connection: What is the connection for, and what business or academic activity does it support?
  2. Target server: What is the hostname or IP address of the external server, and which company or service owns or operates it?
  3. Frequency of transfers: Is this a one-time request, or will transfers occur regularly?
  4. Computer(s) involved: If transfers will be recurring, will your computer be the only one requiring access, or will other computers also need to connect?
  5. Business sponsor: Which manager or department is sponsoring the work?

Network Services will review the request and determine whether a firewall exception can be approved. 

Downloading and Installing WinSCP

  1. Download WinSCP 
  2. Run the WinSCP Installer as you would any other Windows program.
  3. When prompted, choose Typical installation as the Setup type.
  4. When prompted, choose the preferred user interface option. We recommend the Commander view, which is the easiest interface to navigate because local and remote files are visible in the same window.
  5. Complete the installation and restart your computer
  6. You can now use WinSCP to transfer files between your computer and the remote server

File Transfers with WinSCP

  1. Open WinSCP (either from the Start Menu or a desktop shortcut).
  2. On the log in screen that appears, enter the following information.
    • File protocol: SFTP
    • Host name 
    • Port number: 22
    • User name 
    • Password 
  3. Click Login
  4. Click Accept if prompted, to indicate that you trust the connection:
                       
  5. You are now connected and free to upload and download files.
  6. If you chose the “Commander” installation, Your local computer will be shown in the pane on the left, and the remote server in the pane on the right. To transfer files, simply select files on one side and drag-and-drop them in the other.


     
  7. If you chose the “Explorer” installation, The window shows the files in the remote server. To transfer files to remote file system, open Windows Explorer and drag and drop them to WinSCP window. To copy files to your computer, select the files on the WinSCP window, drag and drop them to into Windows Explorer.

Additional Information

For more information, visit Guides to Using WinSCP :: WinSCP

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