What protocol does SCP use for file transfers?

SCP, or Secure Copy Protocol, utilizes SSH (Secure Shell) for file transfers. This is significant because SSH provides a secure channel over an unsecured network in a client-server architecture. By using SSH, SCP ensures that the data being transferred is encrypted, thus offering security against eavesdropping, interception, and other types of cyber threats.

The reliance on SSH means that SCP not only facilitates secure file transfer but also leverages the authentication and encryption mechanisms inherent to SSH, enhancing the overall confidentiality and integrity of the files being transmitted. This is particularly important when transferring sensitive data across potentially vulnerable network connections.

Using other protocols like FTP (File Transfer Protocol), HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), or SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) would not provide the same level of security, as they do not natively incorporate encryption, which makes them less suitable for secure file transfers compared to SCP.