What is the primary security problem with FTP?
A.
Anonymous logins do not require a password
B.
Damaging programs can be executed on the client
C.
Damaging programs can be executed on the server
D.
The login name and password are sent to the server in cleartext
Explanation:
FTP transmits user name and password in the clear. Anyone on the LAN where that traffic passes through can monitor the line with a packet analyzer (or sniffer) and capture those login accounts.
Incorrect Answers:
A: Well, it is true that anonymous logins do not require a password. The anonymous account is not usually given permissions that allow it to do damage. B, C: FTP does not execute programs at neither the client nor the server. All it does is download or upload the files.