Add SSH Key to VPS
So you’ve just set up your brand new Virtual Private Server (VPS) and now you want to secure it by adding an SSH key. An SSH key provides a more secure way to log in to your server compared to using a password. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of adding an SSH key to your VPS.
Generate an SSH Key Pair
The first step is to generate an SSH key pair on your local machine. To do this, open your terminal and type the following command:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
Follow the on-screen instructions to generate your SSH key pair. Make sure to choose a secure passphrase to protect your private key.
Copy the Public Key to Your VPS
Once you have generated your SSH key pair, you need to copy the public key to your VPS. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:
ssh-copy-id user@vps_ip_address
Replace user with your username on the VPS and vps_ip_address with the IP address of your VPS.
Log in to Your VPS Using SSH Key Authentication
Once you have copied the public key to your VPS, you can now log in to your VPS using SSH key authentication. Simply run the following command in your terminal:
ssh user@vps_ip_address
You will be prompted to enter the passphrase you set when generating your SSH key pair. Once you have entered the passphrase, you will be logged in to your VPS securely using your SSH key.
Conclusion
Adding an SSH key to your VPS is a simple yet effective way to enhance the security of your server. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can secure your VPS and protect it from unauthorized access. So go ahead and add an SSH key to your VPS today!