diff --git a/app/proprietary/src/main/java/stirling/software/proprietary/policy/network/SftpFileClient.java b/app/proprietary/src/main/java/stirling/software/proprietary/policy/network/SftpFileClient.java
index 5ecc29392d..d222e3be40 100644
--- a/app/proprietary/src/main/java/stirling/software/proprietary/policy/network/SftpFileClient.java
+++ b/app/proprietary/src/main/java/stirling/software/proprietary/policy/network/SftpFileClient.java
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ final class SftpFileClient implements RemoteFileClient {
             }
             Session session = jsch.getSession(config.username(), config.host(), config.port());
             if (config.password() != null) {
-                session.setPassword(config.password());
+                session.setPassword(config.password().getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
             }
             if (config.hostKeyFingerprint() != null) {
                 // Pinned key: only the configured fingerprint is ever accepted.
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index a4a62df0a9..2b2d0c625f 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ ext {
     jpdfiumVersion = "1.0.4"
     jwtVersion = "0.13.0"
     awsSdkVersion = "2.44.12"
-    jschVersion = "0.2.23"
+    jschVersion = "2.28.6"
     commonsNetVersion = "3.11.1"
     smbjVersion = "0.14.0"
     tinkVersion = "1.23.0"