- ARIN will discontinue FTP services by 31 March 2025, moving to HTTPS for secure data distribution.
- Users must transition to HTTPS-based methods to access ARIN’s public data services before the deadline.
What happened: ARIN to retire FTP by March 2025
The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) has announced its plan to retire the use of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) services by 31 March 2025. This decision is part of ARIN’s ongoing efforts to enhance security and streamline data distribution methods. Currently, ARIN provides public data services, including bulk Whois data and other resources, via FTP.
With the upcoming retirement of FTP, these services will transition exclusively to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), offering improved security features such as data encryption and integrity. ARIN advises all users and organizations that rely on its FTP services to begin migrating to the HTTPS-based access methods well before the March 2025 deadline to ensure uninterrupted access to necessary data. Detailed information and guidance on how to make this transition are available on ARIN’s official website.
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Why it is important
ARIN’s decision to retire FTP services by 31 March 2025, in favor of HTTPS, marks a significant shift towards enhancing the security and efficiency of data distribution. FTP, while widely used, lacks robust security features, making data transmissions susceptible to interception and tampering. Transitioning to HTTPS addresses these vulnerabilities by providing encrypted and authenticated connections, ensuring that data accessed from ARIN is both secure and reliable.
For organizations and individuals utilizing ARIN’s public data services, this change necessitates timely action to adapt their data access methods. Failure to transition to HTTPS by the 31 March 2025 deadline could result in disrupted access to critical information, potentially impacting operations that depend on ARIN’s data.
By proactively migrating to HTTPS, users will benefit from enhanced security and align with modern internet standards that prioritize data protection and user privacy. ARIN’s move reflects a broader industry trend towards deprecating outdated protocols in favor of more secure alternatives, underscoring the importance of adopting up-to-date technologies in maintaining the integrity of internet infrastructure.
