--- title: 5 Reasons to Replace FTP File Sharing Now description: "Many companies and employees use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers to share and receive files, data and documents – both with and from external parties. Although FTP is relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to use, the technology dates back to the 1970s. In today’s digital and mobile world, FTP file sharing does not come without some risk when it comes to handling sensitive data and file sharing. Here are five reasons why you should consider an alternative to FTP file sharing:" canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/5-reasons-replace-ftp-file-sharing-now/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # 5 Reasons to Replace FTP File Sharing Now Sharing and receiving files, data, and documents is an essential part of doing business. In fact, it’s such a present, everyday need that many businesses turn to the most convenient and affordable option they can find – often that means using free File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers. Although FTP is widely available and fairly easy to use, it comes with noteworthy drawbacks. FTP technology dates back to the 1970s and in today’s digital and mobile world, can’t be relied upon to handle sensitive data and file sharing. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 3 min read Last updated 21 October 2022 Sharing and receiving files, data, and documents is an essential part of doing business. In fact, it’s such a present, everyday need that many businesses turn to the most convenient and affordable option they can find – often that means using free File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers. Although FTP is widely available and fairly easy to use, it comes with noteworthy drawbacks. FTP technology dates back to the 1970s and in today’s digital and mobile world, can’t be relied upon to handle sensitive data and file sharing. Here are five reasons why you should consider an [alternative to FTP file sharing](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/mobility/access-advanced/): ## 1. FTP is not secure The threats facing businesses today are bigger than ever. Between ransomware attacks and increasingly common corporate data breaches, every company should be concerned about data security. FTP servers offer no data encryption in transit or at rest, potentially leaving all the confidential information being shared exposed. Unfortunately, this risk is built into the structure of FTP servers. To increase convenience and collaboration, data on FTP can be accessed with any FTP client, which makes it virtually impossible to secure both ends. ## 2. FTP is cumbersome To send and share files with a new contact, a new FTP account needs to be set up. Complicating things further, most users won’t normally have access to FTP server administration and managing FTP processes is far from user-friendly. As a result, companies relying on FTP need to turn to an IT administrator to create new accounts, retrieve forgotten passwords and remove accounts for those who no longer require access. Inevitably, this leads to user accounts that are left activated for too long, and in users sharing accounts to avoid waiting on IT for access. Both of these scenarios put the safety, security, and privacy of your business data at risk. ## 3. FTP management tools are complicated FTP sharing doesn’t allow users or administrators to set policies regarding automatic file access expiration or deletion. Every file ever sent to or from an FTP server remains on the server until an IT administrator manually deletes it – a tedious, time-consuming chore that more often than not gets ignored – leading to yet another needless security vulnerability. ## 4. FTP lacks adequate auditing tools FTP provides limited file transfer tracking capabilities to companies. Who sent what, to whom, and when goes untraced in most cases. In the wake of an attack on the FTP server, or the use of FTP to leak sensitive information, this means companies can’t track, diagnose, report on, or conduct forensics on the security breach. Without the ability to provide an audit trail, FTP file sharing makes it difficult for companies to take the necessary steps to prevent subsequent breaches, and to achieve regulatory compliance. ## 5. FTP doesn’t confirm successful transfers When sending a file via an FTP server, the sender has no way to verify whether the recipient successfully received or downloaded the file. If an error occurs during the transfer, the sender is not notified. Without external verification (e.g., email, text, or voice call), it’s difficult to know whether or not a successful FTP file transfer has been made. ## It’s Time for FTP Replacement Companies can no longer afford to be using FTP for file sharing and collaboration. The number of threats facing businesses is only going to increase, as is the sophistication of those threats. Confronting these challenges with a system that is built on insecure, out-dated technology have no place in modern IT infrastructure. Now is a good time to take advantage of a [modern and secure file sync and share solution](https://www.acronis.com/en-us/promotion/future-use-coupon/) as an FTP replacement. To learn more, read our newest white paper on Reasons to Replace FTP File Sharing. Get it [here.](http://download.acronis.com/rc/SB_FTP_VS_Acronis_Access_Advanced_7_EN-US_151211.pdf) [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/how-not-pay-ransomware-biggest-mistake-hollywood-presbyterian-medical-center/) [How Not to Pay to Ransomware! The Biggest Mistake of the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/how-not-pay-ransomware-biggest-mistake-hollywood-presbyterian-medical-center/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/world-backup-day-reminder-barbershop/) [World Backup Day Reminder at the Barbershop](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/world-backup-day-reminder-barbershop/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read