Traditional server login with a password can be slow and vulnerable. Instead, SSH keys offer a more secure and convenient way to access your server.
What Are SSH Keys?
They are a pair of cryptographically linked files that work together. The public key is what you place on the server you want to connect to. Think of it as a padlock on the door. The private key is what you keep on your local computer, and it is the secret key that fits the padlock. To log in, your computer and the server use these keys for a cryptographic check without ever transmitting a password.
Why Use Them?
- Security: SSH keys are nearly impossible to crack and protect against password guessing attacks. Due to their length and complexity, they are far more secure than any password.
- Convenience: You can log in to a server without typing a password, and the same key can be used to access multiple servers.
- Automation: Keys are essential for scripts that need to automatically log in to servers to perform tasks.
How to Get Started?
Creating keys is simple. On your computer, you create a key pair by running the command ssh-keygen. This will create a private key file (e.g., id_rsa) and a public key file (e.g., id_rsa.pub). You then copy the public key to the server using the command ssh-copy-id username@your_server_ip. After that, you can log in just by running the command ssh username@your_server_ip without a password.
SSH keys are the modern and secure standard for server access, making your work simpler and more reliable.
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