How to use linux command line ftp with a @ sign in my username?

Question

How can I run this on linux command line when my username has an @ sign in the middle?

ftp -u user:password@host/destination_folder/ sourcefile.txt

My username is info@domain.com and it thinks my host is domain.com.

NOTE: This is an unattended upload, so I can't just type in the username and password.

I'm trying both. Thanks guys!! – bentford May 02 '09 at 07:34 — bentford, May 02 '09 at 07:34
This seems like it belongs on http://superuser.com. – Justin Morgan - On strike Feb 03 '11 at 19:45 — Justin Morgan - On strike, Feb 03 '11 at 19:45

score 25 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 03 '11 at 19:38

25

Try this: use "%40" in place of the "@"

answered Feb 03 '11 at 19:38

Angus S-F

251
3
2

1

Doesn't work for me unfortunately :( Host treats %40 as individual characters, not @ – Asfand Qazi Oct 02 '13 at 10:03

pts · Accepted Answer · 2023-04-15T09:27:55.030

22

As an alternative, if you don't want to create config files (or you don't want to rely on the behavior of the system-specific ftp command), do the unattended upload with curl instead of ftp:

curl -u user:password -T file ftp://server/dir/file

If you don't want ps (process list) to show the password passed to curl for security reasons, see answers to this question.

edited Apr 15 '23 at 09:27

answered May 02 '09 at 07:25

pts

80,836
20
110
183

11

-1 not because it is wrong, but it does not help him with his problem - just gives an alternative. If it is not impossible to do what he wants with what he wants, why should he change the tool? – Oliver Friedrich Jan 11 '10 at 10:18
@OliverFriedrich: One possible reason to change the tool is right in the first paragraph in the answer: *if you don't want to create config files*. Creating and maintaining config files is a mental burden, and it can also be a key storage security issue, because then a password is saved to disk. Another possible reason to change the tool is that the arguments of the *ftp* command vary from system to system, and *curl* is more portable. – pts Apr 15 '23 at 09:13
@OliverFriedrich: The problem of the OP is not obvious from the question (it may be an [XY problem](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/66377/what-is-the-xy-problem)): maybe they want to use the *ftp* command, maybe they want to do unattended uploads to an FTP server, using any tool. My answer fits the latter, other answers fit the former. – pts Apr 15 '23 at 09:24

score 12 · Answer 3 · edited May 30 '14 at 18:12

12

Try to define the account in a ~/.netrc file like this:

machine host login info@domain.com password mypassword

Check man netrc for details.

edited May 30 '14 at 18:12

Cristian Ciupitu

20,270
7
50
76

answered May 02 '09 at 07:25

moinudin

134,091
45
190
216

Both answers are right, but I gave it to pts because his was easier. Thanks for the answer! – bentford May 02 '09 at 07:41

score 6 · Answer 4 · edited May 30 '14 at 18:07

6

I simply type ftp hostdomain.com and the very next prompt asked me to enter a name, if it wasn't the same as my current user.

I guess it depends on how your FTP is configured. That is, whether it assumes the same username (if not provided) or asks. the good news is that even without a solution, next time you face this it might Just Work™ for you :D

edited May 30 '14 at 18:07

Zearin

1,474
2
17
36

answered Mar 15 '12 at 19:57

innovati

527
1
8
12

Stephen · Answer 5 · 2012-08-06T09:48:49.683

A more complete answer would be it is not possible with ftp(at least the ftp program installed on centos 6).

Since you wanted an un-attended process, "pts"'s answer will work fine.

Do the unattended upload with curl instead of ftp:

curl -u user:password -T file ftp://server/dir/file

%40 doesn't appear to work.

[~]# ftp domain.com
ftp: connect: Connection refused
ftp> quit
[~]# ftp some_user%40domain.com@domain.com
ftp: some_user%40domain.com@domain.com: Name or service not known
ftp> quit

All I've got is to open the ftp program and use the domain and enter the user when asked. Usually, a password is required anyway, so the interactive nature probably isn't problematic.

[~]# ftp domain.com
Connected to domain.com (173.254.13.235).
220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [privsep] [TLS] ----------
220-You are user number 2 of 1000 allowed.
220-Local time is now 02:47. Server port: 21.
220-This is a private system - No anonymous login
220-IPv6 connections are also welcome on this server.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Name (domain.com:user): some_user@domain.com
331 User some_user@domain.com OK. Password required
Password:
230 OK. Current restricted directory is /
Remote system type is UNIX.
Using binary mode to transfer files.

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 21 '11 at 20:10

1

curl -f -s --disable-epsv -u someone@somewhere.com:gr8p455w0rd -T /some/dir/filename ftp://somewher.com/ByramHealthcareCenters/byram06-2011.csv

answered Jul 21 '11 at 20:10

Dennis Comeaux

11
1

score -3 · Answer 7 · edited Nov 30 '12 at 09:29

-3

I've never seen the -u parameter. But if you want to use an "@", how about stating it as "\@"?

That way it should be interpreted as you intend. You know something like

ftp -u user\@domain.tld@ftp.host.tld

edited Nov 30 '12 at 09:29

Stephan

41,764
65
238
329

answered Feb 06 '11 at 07:39

Sal

1

3

Can't use \@. The shell will interpret the \@ as a plain @ and process it before the ftp command ever sees it. You have to use %40 (hex/ascii for @) which the shell will ignore and the ftp command will interpret as @. – Wes Miller Apr 16 '12 at 12:32
1

If you have never seen -u parameter (and obviously have never tested it) why you suggest to use it? – Kornel Jan 10 '16 at 09:55

How to use linux command line ftp with a @ sign in my username?

7 Answers7

Linked