{"id":3356,"date":"2025-12-09T14:50:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T19:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/support\/2014\/07\/18\/shared-sftp-setup\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:53:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T19:53:19","slug":"sftp-shared-hosting-filezilla-setup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/support\/website\/ftp\/sftp-shared-hosting-filezilla-setup\/","title":{"rendered":"Connect to SFTP for Shared Hosting Accounts Using FileZilla"},"content":{"rendered":"

SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) provides a secure method for transferring files to your InMotion Hosting Shared Hosting<\/a> account. Unlike standard FTP, SFTP uses SSH key authentication instead of your cPanel login credentials, offering stronger security for your file transfers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide walks you through generating SSH access keys and configuring FileZilla to connect via SFTP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generate SSH Access Keys in cPanel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before connecting with SFTP, you must create public and private SSH keys through cPanel. If you already have keys configured for SSH access on your shared or reseller server<\/a>, you can use those same keys for SFTP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To generate new keys:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Log in to your cPanel account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Under Security<\/strong>, click SSH Access<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Click Manage SSH Keys<\/strong>, then Generate a New Key<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Enter a strong password, confirm it, and click Generate Key<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Return to Manage SSH Keys<\/strong> and click Manage<\/strong> next to your new public key.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Click Authorize<\/strong> to enable the key for connections.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    After authorizing your public key, download your private key in PPK format:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Under Private Keys<\/strong>, click View\/Download<\/strong> next to your key.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Scroll to Convert the key to PPK format<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Enter your passphrase and click Download Key<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Configure FileZilla for SFTP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Setting up FileZilla for SFTP requires two steps: adding your private key file and creating a connection profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      PPK File Version Compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      When cPanel converts your key to PPK format, it may generate either PPK version 2 or version 3, depending on your server\u2019s cPanel version. According to the FileZilla documentation<\/a>, FileZilla version 3.55.0 and later supports PPK v3 keys. If you use an older FileZilla version and encounter issues loading your key file, you have two options: update FileZilla to the latest version, or use a different FTP client such as WinSCP or Cyberduck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Add Your Private Key File <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Open FileZilla. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. From the top menu, click Edit<\/strong>, then Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. In the Settings window, click SFTP<\/strong> in the left sidebar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Click Add key file<\/strong> in the right panel.

        \"Add<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Navigate to your downloaded PPK file and click Open<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Verify the key appears in the list and click OK<\/strong> to save.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Create the SFTP Connection Profile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Click File<\/strong>, then Site Manager<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Click New Site<\/strong> and give your connection a recognizable name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Enter the following settings:
          \u2022 Host<\/strong>: Your domain name (example.com) or server IP
          \u2022 Port<\/strong>: 2222
          \u2022 Protocol<\/strong>: SFTP
          \u2022 Logon Type<\/strong>: Key file
          \u2022 User<\/strong>: Your cPanel username
          \u2022 Key file<\/strong>: Browse to your PPK file<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Click Connect<\/strong> to establish the SFTP connection.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          FileZilla may prompt you to accept the server\u2019s host key on your first connection. Click OK<\/strong> to add it to your trusted hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Troubleshooting Common Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Connection Timeout Errors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Verify you are using port 2222, not the standard SSH port 22. Shared and Reseller servers require port 2222 for SSH and SFTP connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Authentication Failures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Confirm your public key is authorized in cPanel under SSH Access > Manage SSH Keys<\/strong>. The key status should show \u201cauthorized\u201d rather than \u201cnot authorized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Key File Not Loading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          If FileZilla silently fails when adding your key, the file may be in an incompatible format. Update FileZilla to the latest version or regenerate your key using PPK version 2 format through PuTTYgen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Password Prompts Appearing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          If FileZilla keeps asking for a password despite having your key configured, verify the Logon Type is set to \u201cKey file\u201d rather than \u201cAsk for password\u201d or \u201cInteractive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Why Use SFTP Instead of FTP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          SFTP encrypts both your credentials and file data during transfer, making it the preferred method for secure file management. For websites handling sensitive information or requiring PCI compliance<\/a>, when you fail PCI compliance for FTP being open, you can use SFTP or SCP to connect to your server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Standard FTP transmits data in plain text, which creates security vulnerabilities on shared networks. SFTP eliminates this risk by tunneling all communication through an encrypted SSH connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          After establishing your SFTP connection, you can upload, download, and manage files in your hosting account securely. For additional file transfer options, explore these resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n