CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)Server AdministrationMedium
A server administrator needs to transfer sensitive configuration files from a local workstation to a remote Linux server. The transfer must be encrypted to prevent eavesdropping and should authenticate using SSH keys. Which command-line utility is BEST suited for this task?
- Ascp
- Bnetcat
- Cftp
- Dtelnet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. scp
The `scp` (secure copy) command uses SSH for both data transfer and authentication, ensuring that the sensitive configuration files are encrypted during transit and that the connection is secured with SSH keys. FTP and Telnet are insecure, and Netcat is a general network utility.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. `netcat` is a general-purpose networking utility that can be used for various tasks, but it does not inherently provide encrypted file transfer or SSH key authentication out-of-the-box like `scp`.
- C. `ftp` (File Transfer Protocol) transfers files but is not encrypted and does not use SSH for authentication, making it insecure for sensitive data.
- D. `telnet` is an unencrypted remote access protocol and is completely unsuitable for file transfers or sensitive data.
SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)
A command-line utility for securely copying files between local and remote hosts using the SSH protocol.
- Encrypts data in transit.
- Authenticates using SSH credentials (passwords or keys).
- Simple syntax for file and directory transfers.
Memory trick: Secure Copy (SCP) for Sensitive Content.