SFTP sync from windows to Mac OSX SFTP server

Posts: 3 · cvhoorn 22 Mar 2016, 09:48

Hi,

I would like to sync files between my Windows 7 computer and SFTP server running on Mac OSX. (standard built in server, OSX Yosemite)
When I try to connect I get the following error: Failed to connect to SFPT server: [IP] error code: LIBSSH@_ERROR_AUTHENTICATION_FAILED: Authentication failed. (username/password)(libssh2_userauth_password)

I can connect to the server using other applications like winscp, filezilla or through SSH without a problem.
In the forum I couldn't find a solution so far. Does anybody has an idea what could be wrong?

Thanks! Camiel

Posts: 3 · cvhoorn 23 Mar 2016, 14:37

I already found the problem. The base64 password encryption seems to be the problem. I changed the settings in the server configuration file and now it works.
Apparently other applications use different authentication since they work without a problem.
However, I read that base64 encryption is not a very safe way for encrypting passwords. I don't have experience with that, can anyone comment on that?

Posts: 7282 · Zenju 23 Mar 2016, 18:46

base64 is no encryption at all, it's obfuscation. The goal is that your occasional co-worker doesn't see your password while you are working with FreeFileSync.

Posts: 3 · sayunkim 17 Apr 2016, 19:32

I already found the problem. The base64 password encryption seems to be the problem. I changed the settings in the server configuration file and now it works.
Apparently other applications use different authentication since they work without a problem.
However, I read that base64 encryption is not a very safe way for encrypting passwords. I don't have experience with that, can anyone comment on that?cvhoorn

Hello, I actually just started using freefilesync and ran into the exact problem you had. Would you mind sharing how you went about changing the ssh server setting to get it to work? I would appreciate any help you could provide :)

Posts: 3 · cvhoorn 18 Apr 2016, 08:35

Hi Sayunkim,

You have to change the sshd config file which is /etc/sshd_config. Uncomment the line: "#PasswordAuthentication no" and set it to "yes". I also uncommented the line: "#ChallengeResponseAuthentication yes". But I actually don't know if that is necessary.
For the changes to take effect restart the sshd server or your computer.
I Hope this helps.

Camiel

Posts: 3 · sayunkim 19 Apr 2016, 05:33

Awesome! Worked like a charm!

Thank you! :)