What is SSH? SFTP? SCP?

SSH or Secure Shell is an encrypted method of remotely administering a computer. SSH is built into most UNIX based Operating systems (Linux, xBSD, OS X). SSH may be used from Windows, but it requires third party software.

For instructions on how to use SSH go to:
Windows: http://micro.uoregon.edu/security/ssh/index.html
MAC OS X: http://micro.uoregon.edu/security/ssh/mac/osx

SCP or Secure Copy is an encrypted
method of transferring files over an already established SSH connection. SCP is most useful with a pre-established SSH connection, otherwise SFTP has a much richer feature set, and should be used instead.

SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, it is an encrypted method of transferring files between two computers. The University of Oregon has discontinued support of unencrypted FTP, as a result, SFTP is the only option for transferring files to shell.