FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the most common Internet protocol used to transfer files from one system to another and is the file transfer protocol of choice for Res-Q Automated Backup clients. FTP has become the defacto Internet standard because of it's excellent speed and reliability characteristics. However, FTP is an inherently insecure protocol due to its use of clear-text passwords for user logins. Most FTP clients and servers exchange passwords in a clear, unencrypted form that is readable by hackers employing network "sniffers" that capture transmitted packets of information. Res-Q Automated Backup protects its users against this vulnerability by using a modified form of FTP, which utilizes additional features and security not found in common FTP clients. We use one of two methods to ensure that subscriber passwords are not exchanged "in the clear" where they can be obtained by hackers. These methods, as outlined in the technical articles below, both use a One Time Password (OTP) authentication system, employing either MD4 or MD5 encryption to ensure that no passwords are openly exchanged between our subscribers and our FTP server. Most people have by now heard of 128 bit encryption. Res-Q uses 128 bit encryption in it's FTP connections, along with a challenge-response user authentication whereby each authenticated user is assigned a one-time password by the server. Even if a hacker were to obtain the encrypted password and successfully decrypt it (impossible with current technology), that password would be useless once the current user finishes their session and logs out, as the password's "one time" use has expired. For  more detailed information on the MD4 and MD5 specifications, please feel free to review the technical documents and if you have any questions, please forward them to our support staff.