secure file transfer is when you use encryption to scramble your data. Although ther eare many different ways and software for doing this, the following is the usual path:
- use your chosen software to choose the level of security you want(usually 128 bit encryption but sometimes more)
- using software you scramble your data and lock it using a pass-key
- the pass-key is sent ahead to the recipient
- once the pass-key has been successfully received you send the encrypted data
- end user unscrambles the data using the pass-key
Most software these day use self extracting pass-keys, so no need for the same encryption software to be installed on the recipients computer.
Although a great tool, the most people use a simple pass-key, i.e. DOB, and as such renders the whole process worthless.