How to Set Up SSH Keys for Secure Server Access

Introduction

SSH keys provide a more secure way of logging into a server than using a password alone. This guide will show you how to create and configure SSH keys.

Step 1: Generate SSH Key Pair

On your local machine, generate a new SSH key pair using the ssh-keygen command.

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"

Step 2: Copy Public Key to Server

Use ssh-copy-id to copy your public key to the server.

ssh-copy-id username@your_server_ip

Step 3: Test SSH Key Authentication

Try logging in to your server. You should not be prompted for a password.

ssh username@your_server_ip

Step 4: Disable Password Authentication

For enhanced security, disable password authentication in your SSH configuration file.

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
# Set: PasswordAuthentication no
sudo systemctl restart sshd

Conclusion

Your server is now configured to use SSH key authentication, providing enhanced security over password-based authentication.