WinSCP (Windows Secure CoPy) is a free and open source SFTP, SCP, and FTP client for Microsoft Windows. Its main function is secure file transfer between a local and a remote computer. Beyond this, WinSCP offers basic file manager and file synchronization functionality. For secure transfers, it uses Secure Shell (SSH) and supports the SCP protocol in addition to SFTP. It received 5 out of 5 stars for CNET editors' rating, and is ranked #2 in popularity for FTP software.[1]
Development of WinSCP started around May 2000 and continues. Originally it was hosted by the University of Economics in Prague, where its author worked at the time. Since July 16, 2003 it is licensed under the GNU GPL and hosted on SourceForge.net.
WinSCP is based on the implementation of the SSH protocol from PuTTY and FTP protocol from FileZilla. It is also available as a plugin for two file managers, FAR and Altap Salamander.
Features
WinSCP as a remote editor
WinSCP can act as a remote editor. When the user clicks on a (text) file in the remote file manager, it transfers the file to the local machine and opens it in the integrated editor, where Windows users can feel very much at home. Alternatively, the user may choose local editors based on file extensions. Whenever the document is saved, the remote version is updated automatically.
Portable version
Apart from the standard package, a standalone version exists for portable use. Official U3, LiberKey and Portableapps.com versions are also available. The portable version does not require the installer and therefore does not run the OpenCandy advertising module.
Advertisements in installer
Some older versions of the WinSCP sponsored installer included OpenCandy advertising module. The current version of the installer does not contain OpenCandy module.
The module used the user's geo-location, operating system and language to choose "relevant advertisements". Revenue from the advertisements was shared between OpenCandy and WinSCP developers and is thus used to support WinSCP development.[2]
The advertising module could have been disabled by user, when starting the installer.[3] An ad-free version of the installer was also available.
Current versions of the WinSCP installer bundle Google Chrome.
WinSCP itself did not and does not contain any advertisements.
See also
References
- ^ CNET WinSCP review
- ^ OpenCandy, WinSCP, 23 August 2011, http://winscp.net/eng/docs/opencandy, retrieved 2011-09-14
- ^ Can I avoid OpenCandy?, WinSCP, 23 August 2011, http://winscp.net/eng/docs/opencandy# avoiding, retrieved 2011-09-14
External links
