Complete Guide: Securing SSH and Using Private Keys on Linux
Secure Shell (SSH) is the standard protocol for remotely managing Linux systems. While password authentication works, it is significantly less secure than key-based authentication. Using SSH private keys improves security, prevents brute-force attacks, and enables safer automation for administrators. This guide walks through generating SSH keys, configuring servers for key-based authentication, and applying SSH hardening best practices. Prerequisites A Linux client machine Access to a remote Linux server A user account with sudo privileges on the server OpenSSH installed (default on most Linux systems) 1. Generate an SSH Key Pair SSH authentication uses a public/private key pair. ...