IT Services News No. 143 Jan-Feb 2010
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IT Services News No. 143 Jan-Feb 2010 |
Secure Ways for File Transfer and Remote Access to Central Computer Servers
To enhance the security protection of the user's data and account information, when a user is doing file transfer and remote access to the central computer servers, the use of Secure Shell (SSH) and Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to replace the Telnet and FTP programs will be enforced.
SSH and SFTP deliver the same functionalities as Telnet and FTP but in a much secured manner as they enable the transmission of data over the network in an encrypted manner. In contrast, Telnet and FTP only support the transmission of data in plain text, including the user password while logging into the computer servers. This provides an opportunity for hackers to snip the data (including password) over the Internet .
SSH and SFTP have already been enabled on the central computer servers for some time. It will enhance the information security level by using SSH/SFTP. Though it will take you some time to setup the SSH/SFTP programs on your PCs, current users of Telnet or FTP (e.g. using Windows Explorer) are advised to start using SSH/SFTP as soon as possible. Please refer to the set-up procedures at http://www.itservices.hku.hk/faq/www/ssh-index.htm. (HKUVPN connection is required for using SSH/SFTP from outside the campus network.) To allow time for transition, the use of FTP/Telnet for connecting to the central computer servers will be disabled at end June 2010.
For enquiries on the above, please contact us by sending email to ithelp@hku.hk.
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