Due to security restrictions on our FTP server all FTP credentials are treated as "valid" credentials. This is done to prevent hammering and brute forcing for passwords. As a result, Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer, which by default send anonymous credentials to the FTP server, will display "INVALID LOGIN". To successfully connect, specify your credentials in the FTP hostname using the format ftp://YOURUSERNAME:YOURPASSWORD@YOURFTPADDRESS. This passes your login details directly to the server.

While this workaround allows basic FTP access through these built-in Windows tools, it is not the optimal way to manage files on your hosting account. Dedicated FTP clients provide better performance, security, and features such as encrypted connections and transfer resuming. This article provides the details you need to connect with Explorer tools and explains the advantages of proper FTP software.

#Understanding the Security Measure

Our FTP server configuration intentionally avoids distinguishing between invalid usernames and incorrect passwords. This thwarts automated tools that rely on such responses to enumerate accounts or guess passwords. The tradeoff is that every connection attempt must supply full credentials up front. Applications that silently try an anonymous login first will fail. The same security model applies whether you use a browser, file explorer, or command line.

#Step-by-Step Connection Instructions

The process is similar for both Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer. Prerequisites: have your exact FTP username, password, and server address from your account control panel or welcome email. Do not add http:// or any extra path unless directed.

  • Open Internet Explorer or Windows File Explorer.
  • Type the following into the address bar and press Enter: ftp://YOURUSERNAME:YOURPASSWORD@YOURFTPADDRESS
plaintext 
ftp://YOURUSERNAME:YOURPASSWORD@YOURFTPADDRESS
  • The remote directory will load. You can then drag files, copy, or delete as needed. Refresh the view after uploads.

#Tips for Reliable Connections

  • URL-encode any special characters in your password. For instance, change '@' to '%40' and ':' to '%3A'.
  • Avoid using this method on public or shared computers because the password appears in plain text within the URL and may be stored in history.
  • If the connection times out, verify your firewall allows outbound TCP port 21 and that the hostname resolves correctly.

We recommend using a true FTP client such as FileZilla (Free), SmartFTP (Paid), WinSCP (Free) or Commander One (Mac - Paid). These FTP clients fully support the FTP protocol and are dedicated tools that also support FTP over secured channels. They eliminate the need for embedding credentials in the address and offer a much richer set of features for working with your web files.

In practice, configure a dedicated FTP client once with your account details for the most efficient file management on our Windows hosting platform. Start with FileZilla, which is free, cross-platform, and straightforward to set up. See our other guides for secure FTP configuration and common transfer troubleshooting.