The scp command in Linux explained
The scp command copies files securely between computers over SSH. It is one of the most useful commands for anyone using a live USB drive or a fresh Linux install.
Syntax
scp source destination
Examples
scp notes.txt alex@192.168.1.20:/home/alex/: send a file to another computer
Tip
Add -r to copy whole folders.
Keep learning
New to the terminal? Start with Linux terminal basics. You can try every command safely from a live session: see how to try Linux without installing it. Run man scp in a terminal for the full manual.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see every option for scp?
Run man scp for the full manual, or try scp --help for a short summary.
Do I need sudo to run scp?
Not for your own files. You only need sudo when the command changes something owned by the system or another user.
Is it safe to practise scp on a live USB drive?
Mostly yes, because a live session starts fresh each time. Be careful with commands that write to your internal disk, such as rm on a mounted drive or dd.