How to configure SFTP on Network Solutions

To successfully configure SFTP, it is necessary to use a secure way to access your site's files. SFTP provides critical security for file management. This guide will walk you through how to configure SFTP on your Network Solutions hosting package.

In this article, we will tackle the following:

• SFTP vs FTP
• Prerequisites of SFTP Configuration
  • Access your SFTP credentials on your web hosting package
  • Access your SFTP credentials on your WordPress package
• Accessing the File Manager using an FTP Client
• Review

SFTP vs FTP

With SFTP, the data that moves between your FTP client and your web server is encrypted. Thus, your connection with SFTP is always secured. This means that there will be no interception attacks on your data since everything you transfer is always encrypted.

On the other hand, username and password authentication are required when you initially connect with FTP. However, this doesn't guarantee the safety of your data between your web server and your FTP client since it is not encrypted.

Both protocols enable you to move files between your FTP client and web server, but to sum it up, SFTP is more secure than FTP.

Prerequisites of SFTP configuration

Before you can configure SFTP with a client like FileZilla, you must first gather your unique connection credentials from your hosting panel.

• Access your SFTP credentials on your web hosting package
• Access your SFTP credentials on your WordPress package

Access your SFTP credentials on your web hosting package

1. Log in to your account manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
2. From the left-hand menu, click Hosting.
   
   
    
   Note: If you have multiple hosting packages, you must click the Manage button next to the package on which you want to set up FTP.
3. Go to the FTP & Content Publishing or Most Popular Tools section, then click SFTP Account Manager.
   
   
    
4. You will be rerouted to the SFTP Account Manager page.
   
   
    

As shown in the image above, you can modify existing SFTP accounts or set up a new one. Crucially, this is where you will find your:

• Host Address (your server's hostname or IP address).
• Username for the SFTP account.
• Password (you may need to set or view it here).
• The designated Port Number for SFTP is 22.

Access your SFTP credentials on your WordPress package

1. Log in to your account manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
2. From the left-hand menu, click WordPress.
   
   
    
3. If you only have one WordPress package, you’ll be brought directly to your Control Panel. But if you’re handling several sites, just click Manage beside the one you want to open. For new setups, choose Setup first to finish the initial configuration.
4. Under the Configurations section, click the SFTP Account Manager option.
   
   
    
5. You will be rerouted to the SFTP Account Manager page.
   
   
    

As shown in the image above, you can modify existing SFTP accounts or set up a new one. Crucially, this is where you will find your:

• Host Address (your server's hostname or IP address).
• Username for the SFTP account.
• Password (you may need to set or view it here).
• The designated Port Number for SFTP is 22.

Accessing the File Manager using an FTP Client

You can now use an FTP Client with your host, username, and password ready. Follow these steps to configure SFTP using the FileZilla client. The steps will be similar for other SFTP clients.

Downloading and installing FileZilla

You first need to download and install the FileZilla Client on your computer.

1. Go to the official FileZilla website.
2. Download the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Follow the installation prompts.

Accessing the hosting files through FileZilla

1. Open FileZilla.
2. Under the Host section, enter the required credentials indicated as SFTP Server / Home Address from Network Solutions under the SFTP Account Manager.
3. Provide the Username and Password
4. Enter the port number, which is 22 by default for SFTP. After that, click the Quickconnect button to proceed.
   
   

Review

You now have all the steps needed to manage your Network Solutions website files securely. Following this guide, you can confidently configure SFTP, connect with a client, and ensure your file transfers are always encrypted and protected.