Secure copy protocol (SCP) can be used to transfer a file from one computer to another. For example, let's say you want to transfer example.jpg from Machine 1 to Machine 2. The machine the file is being transfered to must be an SSH server. Before using SCP, it is usually best to ensure you can connect to an SSH server.

Windows (upload / push / PUT)

In this example, example.jpg is transferred from server1 to server2.

scp C:\users\john.doe\example.jpg jane.doe@machine2:C:\users\jane.doe\
example.jpg        100$ 12  0.7KB/s  00:02

Windows (download / pull / GET)

In this example, example.jpg is transferred from server2 to server1.

scp jane.doe@machine2:C:\users\jane.doe\example.jpg C:\users\john.doe\
example.jpg        100$ 12  0.7KB/s  00:02

Mac / Linux (upload / push / PUT)

In this example, example.jpg is transferred from server1 to server2.

[john.doe@server1 ~]# scp '/home/john.doe/example.jpg' jane.doe@server2:'/home/jane.doe'
example.jpg        100$ 12  0.7KB/s  00:02

Mac / Linux (download / pull / GET)

In this example, example.jpg is transferred from server2 to server1.

[john.doe@server1 ~]# scp jane.doe@server2:'/home/jane.doe/example.jpg' '/home/john.doe'
example.jpg        100$ 12  0.7KB/s  00:02

Passwordless Authentication

Refer to public key authentication with OpenSSH (passwordless auth) for the steps on how to connect using a public private keypair.