![]() If you find that’s the case, you can always install keyfile with the command: The problem with the above method is that it doesn’t always work as a permanent solution for every Linux desktop client. Now, the next time you SSH into that remote server from either client, you won’t have to enter your SSH key authentication passphrase. Or, if you’ve created a custom key (we’ll stick with our example above), you’d issue a command like: So on either the Linux or macOS terminal, issue the command: The second method requires the use of the ssh-add command, which adds private key identities to the OpenSSH authentication agent. Even if you log out or reboot that client machine, you still won’t have to type your passphrase for SSH key authentication to that Ubuntu Server. By checking the box for Automatically Unlock This Key Whenever I’m Logged In, you won’t have to bother typing your SSH key passphrase to secure shell into that remote server. Check that box, type your passphrase, and click Unlock. Notice the checkbox for Automatically Unlock This Key Whenever I’m Logged In. When you do, a popup will appear asking you to type your SSH password ( Figure A).įigure A Logging in to a remote Linux server, via SSH, using key authentication. After you’ve copied your SSH key to the server, you’ll want to SSH into that server for the first time. Let me show you how to take care of the first option. The first method can be done on your Linux desktop client, whereas the second method works on both Linux and macOS. Do not walk away with your desktop unlocked, otherwise anyone could open a terminal and SSH to your server.Ĭonsider those two items key to the success of your client-to-server security. Any time you leave your desktop client, you lock it or log out.You don’t want people to have easy access to a desktop client that has passwordless SSH key authentication setup. Your desktop client login password is strong.I want to preface this by saying you need to make sure of two things: Ssh -i ~/.purple/custom_key USER is the username and SERVER is the IP address or domain of the remote server. Instead of just ssh (where USER is the username and SERVER is the IP address or domain of the remote server), the command would be (sticking with our example): Note: If you use a custom SSH key, the process of logging in to the remote server is a bit different. Ssh-copy-id -i ~/.purple/custom_key SERVER If you opt to use a custom key, that command would look something like: Where SERVER is the IP address or domain of the remote server. Once your key is generated, you can then copy it to the server with the command: For example, you could create a hidden directory with the command:ĭuring the naming phase of the key creation, you’d enter something like: For this, you could always create a hidden directory with a name that has nothing to do with SSH or security. You might also consider locating this keypair in a non-standard location. Because of the nature of what we’re doing, you want a password/phrase that’s impossible to guess–so go big. Make sure to give your keypair a very strong passphrase. We’re generating a strong key, with the addition of the -b 4096 option. ![]() Log in to your desktop client, open a terminal window, and issue the command: The process is exactly the same on Linux as it is on macOS. This step is taken care of on the client side. The first thing to be done is the generating of your SSH key pair. On the remote end, I’ll be demonstrating with Ubuntu Server 20.04. ![]() I’ve successfully tested it on both Linux and macOS. This process can be done with just about any client that supports SSH. SEE: SSL Certificate Best Practices Policy (TechRepublic Premium) What you’ll need If not, I want to walk you through the process of setting up SSH key authentication, with the addition of making it such that you don’t have to enter a password when you log in. Why? Because that’s the most secure way to use SSH logins to your remote data center servers. Hopefully, you’ve set those servers up such that you’re using SSH Key Authentication. You probably secure shell into your Linux servers throughout the day. Learn how to enable passwordless SSH authentication on both Linux and macOS. How to set up passwordless SSH authentication for Ubuntu Server
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