{"id":4274,"date":"2017-12-29T21:00:59","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T21:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/support\/2017\/12\/29\/how-to-use-scp-for-secure-file-transfer\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T15:17:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T20:17:45","slug":"how-to-use-scp-for-secure-file-transfer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/support\/server\/ssh\/how-to-use-scp-for-secure-file-transfer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use SCP For Secure File Transfer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, we will show you how to use SCP for secure file transfer<\/strong> between your local computer and your InMotion Hosting server. SCP, or Secure Copy Protocol<\/strong>, uses SSH to make a secure connection between the local host and the server. This means that in order to complete a safe, secure file transfer, you will not<\/em> need to install any additional software. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your computer should already have a Terminal or shell application you can use to transfer your files. If you don’t have one, and you use Windows, we recommend installing Putty<\/a>. For Mac and GNU\/Linux users, we recommend using the default Terminal application your operating system has provided for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we’re going to show you how to both upload and download files using SCP. In order to complete both sections you should have a terminal or shell application open and ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Use SCP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SCP is especially valuable for users who are interested in PCI Compliance<\/a>. Complying with strict security parameters often means closing Port 21 in your server, which FTP uses. SCP is based on the SSH protocol, so it is more secure and uses Port 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an alternative to SCP, we recommend SFTP, which is also uses Port 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Upload a File with SCP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SCP command has three parts. First, you will call the command itself and then provide two locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n