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I have a server with OpenSSH enabled. I use it to make distant backups. I mainly use rsync over SSH and SFTP. I understood that these protocols are quite safe.

I am interested in enabling Samba share on the server so that I can access content easily with some IOS apps that I have.

My question is as follows: - Is Samba a secure protocol? - Is the security level similar to SSH? - Would you guys rather stick with SSH/SFTP instead of opening up SMB?

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Samba is not a secure protocol. The data isn't encrypted during transport.

Which protocol I would choose would depend on the environment. If I'm on an internal network, Samba is fine. If I'm accessing the data remotely, either SSH/SCP or some VPN solution would be preferable from a security standpoint.

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Thanks, that was exactly the information I was looking for. Indeed, I want to access my data outside my home network. I think I'll stick with SFTP/SSH. – Vincent Sep 5 '12 at 10:02
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news.samba.org/announcements/3.2_press_release ... Now, no idea if your IOS apps support encryption or not. – derobert Sep 5 '12 at 12:54

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