Tutorial To Use SSH Keys Instead Of Password

A Short tutorial to use SSH keys instead of plain password to login.


1. Logon to WHM and goto Main >> Security >> Security Center

2. Under "SSH Password Auth Tweak" and disable the Password Authentication.

3. Under "Manage SSH Keys" click on Generate new key.

4. Give a Key name and Generate a good password (remember it). Choose KeyType as DSA since it's more secure than RSA.

5. Once done, you will see a pair of public private keys. Authorize the public key to connect.

6. View/Download the private key to your system. If you're using putty it can also generate in relevant format.

7. Save the key in a secure place in your local system and chmod to 600 so that no one can read it.

8. Next, connect to your server:

Code:
root@localhost ~]# ssh -i /path-to-file/file.key root@server.ip.address
It should ask for the password, if you have used in step 4.