[Tutor] How to handle passwords in programs that perform FTP processes?

[boB Stepp]

Python 2.4, Solaris 10.

I have several programs that must transfer files from our Solaris
10-based intranet to our Windows-based intranet.  They each have their
own shell script to perform these file transfers, each customized for
each program.  Today I wrote a Python 2 program using the ftplib
module that will replace all of these shell script programs and
provide a standard interface for doing these transfers.  It also will
serve as a method for me to backup my programs on the Solaris 10-based
intranet to a location on the Windows side.  Even though these
networks are supposed to be secure intranets where those who need to
know know the generic user name and password for the FTP server, I
would like to be as secure as possible with this information.  How do
I go about doing this?  I am limited to whatever is available on the
Solaris 10 operating system and it must work with Python 2.4 and its
available standard libraries.  I cannot use any outside software.
However, I am free to write all the software I might like, assuming I
can find time to do so.  What would you sage Pythonistas recommend for
my situation?
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boB