CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

How does FTP authenticate users?

1. Using OAuth

2. With a username and password

3. Through biometric verification

4. By IP address allowance

The correct answer is: With a username and password

FTP, which stands for File Transfer Protocol, primarily authenticates users through a straightforward method that involves requiring a username and password combination. When a user attempts to connect to an FTP server, they must provide these credentials to gain access. This method is the most traditional and widely used for FTP, allowing users to securely identify themselves to the server and maintain a basic level of access control. Other authentication methods mentioned, such as OAuth and biometric verification, are not standard practices associated with FTP. OAuth is more commonly used for API access and federated identity systems, while biometric verification is typically implemented in more advanced security settings but not in standard FTP operations. Additionally, authenticating by IP address allowance does not inherently verify user identity; it merely restricts access based on the originating IP, which can pose security concerns if the IP is spoofed or shared. Thus, the use of a username and password remains the foundation for user authentication in FTP.