Java

Set the FTP Password from a SecureString

Demonstrates the Chilkat Ftp2.SetSecurePassword method, which sets the login password from a SecureString. The only argument is the SecureString. It is equivalent to setting the Password property but avoids holding the password as an ordinary immutable string.

Background: An ordinary string password can linger in memory (and in memory dumps) because strings are immutable and copied freely. A SecureString keeps the value encrypted under a session key and clears it deterministically, reducing that exposure — a sensible upgrade for a credential the process holds for the life of the connection. Populate it from a runtime source rather than a hard-coded literal.

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Java

import com.chilkatsoft.*;

public class ChilkatExample {

  static {
    try {
        System.loadLibrary("chilkat");
    } catch (UnsatisfiedLinkError e) {
      System.err.println("Native code library failed to load.\n" + e);
      System.exit(1);
    }
  }

  public static void main(String argv[])
  {
    boolean success = false;

    //  Demonstrates the Ftp2.SetSecurePassword method, which sets the login password from a
    //  SecureString.  The only argument is the SecureString.  This avoids holding the password as an
    //  ordinary immutable string.

    CkFtp2 ftp = new CkFtp2();

    ftp.put_Hostname("ftp.example.com");
    ftp.put_Username("myFtpLogin");

    //  Normally you would not hard-code the password in source.  You should instead obtain it
    //  from an interactive prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
    String password = "myPassword";

    //  Place the password into a SecureString, which keeps it encrypted in memory.
    CkSecureString securePassword = new CkSecureString();
    securePassword.Append(password);

    //  Setting the secure password is equivalent to setting the Password property, but more
    //  protective.
    success = ftp.SetSecurePassword(securePassword);
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(ftp.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    success = ftp.Connect();
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(ftp.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    System.out.println("Connected using a secure password.");

    success = ftp.Disconnect();
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(ftp.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }
  }
}