ProFTPD is a popular FTP server software that you can install on your Ubuntu or Debian server to create a secure file transfer environment. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up a secure FTP server with ProFTPD on Ubuntu/Debian.

Step 1: Install ProFTPD

First, you need to install the ProFTPD software on your server. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt-get install proftpd

During the installation process, you will be prompted to choose the type of installation you want. For a simple setup, you can choose the “standalone” option.

Step 2: Configure ProFTPD

Once the installation is complete, you need to configure ProFTPD to ensure that it is secure and meets your specific requirements. The configuration file for ProFTPD is located at /etc/proftpd/proftpd.conf.

You can edit this file using a text editor such as nano or vim. Make sure to backup the original configuration file before making any changes.

One important configuration change you should make is to disable anonymous login. This can be done by finding the line that says “DefaultRoot” and changing it to “DenyAll”.

You should also enable TLS encryption for secure file transfers. To do this, uncomment the following lines in the configuration file:

LoadModule mod_tls.c
TLSEngine on
TLSLog /var/log/proftpd/tls.log
TLSProtocol TLSv1

Step 3: Create SSL/TLS Certificates

Next, you need to create SSL/TLS certificates for your server. You can do this using the following command:

sudo openssl req -x509 -nodes -newkey rsa:1024 -keyout /etc/ssl/private/proftpd.key -out /etc/ssl/certs/proftpd.crt

Make sure to set the Common Name (CN) to the domain name or IP address of your server.

Step 4: Restart ProFTPD

After making the necessary configuration changes, you need to restart the ProFTPD service to apply the changes. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo systemctl restart proftpd

Step 5: Test the FTP Server

To test if your FTP server is running correctly, you can use an FTP client such as FileZilla to connect to your server. Enter the IP address of your server, your username, and password, and try to establish a connection.

If everything is set up correctly, you should be able to connect to your server and transfer files securely using FTPS.

In conclusion, setting up a secure FTP server with ProFTPD on Ubuntu/Debian is a straightforward process that can enhance the security of file transfers on your server. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a secure and reliable FTP server that meets your specific needs.