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| security 2005-03-14 | security 2024-04-07 (current) | ||
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| ====== A word of warning ====== | ====== A word of warning ====== | ||
| - | As with any security or cryptographic product, there are a number | + | Like any security or cryptographic product, there are a number |
| - | of concerns that should be addressed. In order to use this product | + | of concerns that should be addressed. To use WinSCP securely, you should understand how the program works and the concepts involved. Improper usage is often |
| - | securely, you should make an effort to obtain a thorough understanding | + | |
| - | of its operation and the concepts involved. Improper usage is often | + | |
| insecure usage, so please be sure to read the manual completely. | insecure usage, so please be sure to read the manual completely. | ||
| ===== Host Security ===== | ===== Host Security ===== | ||
| The security of the computer running WinSCP is a serious | The security of the computer running WinSCP is a serious | ||
| - | concern. Trojan Horse and Backdoor programs can potentially be used to | + | concern. Trojan Horse and Backdoor programs can steal authentication credentials such as passwords and [[public_key#private|private keys]] |
| - | steal authentication credentials such as passwords and private keys | + | |
| that have been stored or entered on the computer. Public computers | that have been stored or entered on the computer. Public computers | ||
| - | often have session monitoring software which may include key loggers, | + | often have session monitoring software--including key loggers--or other malicious software. |
| - | or may have malicious software installed by a previous user. | + | |
| - | WinSCP can support "keyboard-interactive" authentication | + | WinSCP can support SSH "keyboard-interactive" authentication |
| methods if offered by the server. With keyboard-interactive | methods if offered by the server. With keyboard-interactive | ||
| authentication, the server can prompt for special credentials such | authentication, the server can prompt for special credentials such | ||
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| of one-time authentication is offered. | of one-time authentication is offered. | ||
| - | ===== Stored Credentials ===== | + | ===== Credentials Security ===== |
| - | WinSCP supports storing passwords with saved sessions. This is | + | Learn about choosing compromise between [[security_credentials|security of your credentials]] and convenience of handling them. |
| - | provided as a convenience, and is not recommended. If you need to be | + | |
| - | able to log in without reentering your credentials, the recommended | + | |
| - | method is to use public key authentication and protect your private | + | |
| - | key with a pass phrase. The SSH Key Agent provided by Putty, Pagent, | + | |
| - | can store the decrypted key in memory, allowing you to enter your | + | |
| - | credentials once and continue using them until you close down the | + | |
| - | agent or log off of Windows entirely. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Saved passwords are stored in a manner that they can easily be | + | |
| - | recovered. It is not possible to securely encrypt passwords in a way | + | |
| - | that still allows for automatic use. Do not use the save password | + | |
| - | feature if you are not absolutely sure of the physical and | + | |
| - | electronic security of the system on which you are storing | + | |
| - | passwords. | + | |