Sending your password over the network in the clear is a grave security risk. You can avoid this kind of theft by using kerberized FTP, whenever possible. It is important to remember that both client and server must have Kerberos capabilities. Security breaches have been posed from within and outside the Institute. These tools let snoopers capture userids, passwords, and other data transmitted across a network.
Snoopers can then gain unauthorized access to accounts and files on the Internet.
If you use FTP to move files between computers, for instance to move HTML files from your desktop computer to Athena for publication on the Web, you should be concerned about protecting your username and password. This proves to a remote host that you really are you, without sending your password.