Anonymous FTP Uploads

This document explains how secure anonymous ftp uploads work.

Background

Anonymous FTP uploads allow users to upload information to you using their ftp program. A password is not needed - the files are placed in a special incoming directory for you to retrieve. You do not need to tell the other user your account passwords (that is not a good idea for obvious reasons). We can set up a secure upload directory upon request.

Why Secure

There are many reasons for NOT opening your ftp site to outside users. DO NOT OPEN UP YOUR FTP SITE FOR UPLOADS WITHOUT CONTACTING US FIRST!

When we create the secure upload directory, we set it up special so that files uploaded cannot be downloaded. This protects you from hackers looking for a place to distribute their files at your expense.

How does it work?

We create a special directory called "incoming" in your ftp site. Users can upload there - but THEY CANNOT DOWNLOAD FROM THERE OR SEE WHATS THERE. You will need to inform your users of that.

When files are uploaded it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to examine them and decide what to do. Ask your users to email you after they've uploaded so you can check the directory for new files. Remove any files you've already examined so the directory is clean for subsequent uploads. Check periodically and remove any files of unknown origin - they may be uploads from hackers.

Only you can access the files in your incoming directory - when you log in with your normal ftp you can goto the incoming directory to see its contents. The only thing other users can do is upload files.

What the person uploading does

How you get the files

You will get email from the user telling you there are files waiting for you.

Contact us

We do not set up these upload directories by default because of their security weaknesses. We encourage you to use other means for your users to deliver files to you. FTP is old technology, however if you have no other means then we can set this up for you. Please contact us at support@bigbiz.com if you need us to create this.