title: Secure File Transfer Using Cron
body: <p>I have a cron job which backs up my database and ftp's it to my home machine.  However, as I understand it ftp is not a secure way to transfer files.</p>
  
  <p>I'v read quite a few things on this subject but non of them will work for me because: </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>I don't have shell access to my remote hosting account</li>
  <li>I can connect to my remote host via sftp, but going the other way sftp will not allow me to use the [-i identity file] option on my remote hosting account to authenticate with my home machine.</li>
  <li>I don't have an SSL certificate and would rather not have to buy one.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>What is the best way for me to transfer files from my remote server to my home machine?  The method needs to be secure and scriptable.</p>