What is ftp-proxy?

ftp-proxy is a process included with macOS that most people will never need.

What is ftp-proxy?

ftp-proxy is a go-between for FTP (File Transfer Protocol) connections. It comes from OpenBSD's PF (Packet Filter) tools and is included in macOS because of its BSD roots. Its job is to inspect and pass along FTP connections, dealing with the tricky way FTP uses two separate connections (one for commands, one for file data).

Why does FTP need a go-between?

FTP is unusual because it uses two connections at once: one for commands and one for moving files. This makes FTP hard to use behind firewalls. ftp-proxy understands the FTP rules and opens the right firewall holes for file transfers.

Is it running on my Mac?

Not by default. ftp-proxy only runs if someone has set it up, usually as part of a PF firewall setup. On a normal Mac, it is not active.

Do I need it?

Almost certainly not. FTP is old technology. Most file transfers now use SFTP, SCP, or HTTPS. Apple removed the built-in FTP server from macOS years ago. ftp-proxy is only useful if you run a PF firewall that needs to handle FTP traffic.

Should you worry?

No. It is a standard tool inherited from BSD. If you have not set it up, it is not running.

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