File Transfer Protocol. FTP is the TCP/IP standard way of transferring files across the Internet and between computers. To use FTP, FTP software must be set up on both sending and receiving ends of an FTP transmission, and the client (initiator) must have a username, password and a valid target address on the server. Anonymous ftp is a method for downloading and uploading files using FTP protocol without having a username or a password. In place of a username, word "anonymous" is used, and in place of a password, email address is usually used.