Trust & Security
Transparency, ethical software distribution, and user safety guide everything we publish on file-zilla.org.
Legal Usage Policy
FileZilla is legitimate file transfer software intended for authorized server access and data management. Users must comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws when using FileZilla or any FTP client.
Permitted uses include managing websites on servers you own or have explicit permission to access, transferring files for legitimate business or personal purposes, administering servers under your organizational responsibility, and backing up data from authorized remote systems.
Prohibited uses include accessing servers without authorization, uploading or distributing illegal content, circumventing security measures on systems you do not own, using FileZilla as part of any malicious activity, and violating the terms of service of hosting providers or network operators.
Violation of these guidelines may result in civil or criminal liability under computer fraud, unauthorized access, and data protection laws in your jurisdiction.
Ethical Usage Statement
We believe file transfer tools should empower legitimate digital work: building websites, managing infrastructure, sharing data responsibly, and maintaining server environments. FileZilla exists to serve developers, administrators, educators, and organizations who need reliable access to remote file systems.
We condemn any misuse of FileZilla or similar tools for unauthorized access, data theft, distribution of harmful software, or any activity that compromises the security or privacy of others. Ethical use means connecting only to servers you are authorized to access, protecting credentials and SSH keys, using encrypted protocols (SFTP or FTPS) whenever possible, and respecting the data and systems of others.
- ✓ Use strong, unique passwords for each server connection
- ✓ Prefer SFTP over plain FTP for all production environments
- ✓ Store SSH private keys securely and never share them
- ✓ Remove stored credentials from Site Manager when no longer needed
- ✓ Report security vulnerabilities through responsible disclosure channels
Open-Source Transparency
FileZilla Client is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 (GPLv2). This means the complete source code is available for public inspection, independent security audits, and community contribution. Unlike proprietary FTP clients, there are no hidden components, obfuscated code sections, or undisclosed network behaviors in the open-source release.
The development history spans over two decades, with publicly documented changelogs, version histories, and issue tracking. Security researchers, developers, and organizations can compile FileZilla from source and verify that the distributed binaries match the published codebase.
License
GNU General Public License v2.0 (GPLv2). Free to use, modify, and distribute under license terms.
Development
Active development since 2001 by Tim Kosse and the FileZilla community. Regular stable releases with documented changelogs.
Checksum Verification
Every release includes SHA-1 and SHA-256 hashes so users can verify download integrity before installation.
Community
Global community of contributors, translators, and users across 47+ languages providing feedback and improvements.
No Malware Clarification
The official FileZilla Client application does not contain malware, spyware, adware, trojans, rootkits, cryptocurrency miners, or any form of unauthorized remote access software. FileZilla performs exactly the functions visible in its user interface: connecting to FTP/SFTP servers and transferring files.
Antivirus false positives are a known and documented issue affecting FileZilla and other legitimate network utilities. These false positives typically arise from:
- ● Heuristic detection engines flagging any application capable of network file transfers
- ● Historical bundled optional software in third-party download wrappers (not in the core client)
- ● Outdated or overly aggressive antivirus definitions that have not whitelisted FileZilla
- ● Modified or tampered installers downloaded from unofficial mirror sites
Protect Yourself
Download FileZilla exclusively from file-zilla.org, verify SHA checksums before installation, and never use cracked or repackaged versions from untrusted sources. If your antivirus flags a verified download, report the false positive to your antivirus vendor.
Verify download checksums →User Responsibility Disclaimer
file-zilla.org provides information, documentation, and download resources for FileZilla software. While we strive for accuracy and security in everything we publish, users bear full responsibility for how they use FileZilla and any consequences arising from their actions.
This includes but is not limited to: ensuring you have authorization to access remote servers, configuring secure connection settings appropriate for your environment, protecting stored credentials and SSH keys on your local machine, complying with applicable laws and regulations, and verifying the integrity of downloaded software before installation.
file-zilla.org is not liable for unauthorized access, data loss, security breaches, or any damages resulting from misuse of FileZilla or misconfiguration of FTP/SFTP connections. FileZilla and the FileZilla logo are registered trademarks of their respective owners. This website operates independently to provide educational and download resources.