Are there alternative functions or methods in PHP that can be used to access files on remote servers more securely than opendir and readdir?

When accessing files on remote servers in PHP, it is important to prioritize security to prevent unauthorized access or potential vulnerabilities. One alternative method to opendir and readdir is using the FTP functions in PHP, which allow for secure file transfers and operations on remote servers. By using FTP functions, you can establish a secure connection to the remote server and access files in a more controlled and secure manner.

// Connect to remote server using FTP
$ftp_server = 'ftp.example.com';
$ftp_user = 'username';
$ftp_pass = 'password';
$conn_id = ftp_connect($ftp_server);
$login = ftp_login($conn_id, $ftp_user, $ftp_pass);

// Check if connection is successful
if ($conn_id && $login) {
    // List files in remote directory
    $files = ftp_nlist($conn_id, '/');
    
    // Loop through files and do something
    foreach ($files as $file) {
        echo $file . "<br>";
    }
    
    // Close FTP connection
    ftp_close($conn_id);
} else {
    echo "Failed to connect to FTP server";
}