File Transfer Protocol (FTP), a standard Internet protocol, is the simplest way to exchange files between computers on the Internet. Like the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which transfers displayable Web pages and related files, and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers e-mail, FTP is an application protocol that uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols. FTP is commonly used to transfer Web page files from their creator to the computer that acts as their server for everyone on the Internet. It's also commonly used to download computer files to your computer from other remote servers.
As a user, you can use FTP with a commercial program that offers a graphical user interface. Your Web browser can also make FTP requests to download or upload computer files. Using FTP, you can also update, delete, rename, move, and copy files on a remote server.
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