FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a standard network protocol used for the transfer of files between a client and a server on a computer network. FTP allows users to upload, download, and manipulate files on a remote server. 

 FTP by itself does not provide encryption for data transfer, making it vulnerable to eavesdropping and data tampering. However, there is an extension called FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) that adds a layer of security through encryption. Another secure alternative is SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), which uses the SSH protocol for secure file transfers.