How to manage SSH for Linux-Based hosting

This article explains how to manage SSH access for your Linux hosting account. It covers how to create, authorize, view, and download SSH keys via cPanel.

On this article 

• SSH overview 
• Creating an SSH key 
• Authorizing an SSH key 
• Viewing, downloading, and converting an SSH key

SSH overview

SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol that provides secure, encrypted access to a remote server. It protects login credentials, commands, and data transmitted during a session. SSH keys can be used instead of passwords to authenticate securely when connecting to your hosting account. 

Creating an SSH key 

1. Login to your Vodien cPanel.
2. Scroll down to the Security section and click SSH Access.
3. On the SSH Access page, click Manage SSH Keys.
4. On the next page, click Generate a New Key.
5. Complete the required fields:
   1. If preferred, change the default Key Name.
   2. Enter a Key Password twice in the respective fields.
   3. Choose a Key Type and Key Size according to your preference.
   NOTE. SA is faster for authentication, while DSA is faster for key generation and signing.
6. Click the Generate Key button to continue. A confirmation message will appear on the next page.

Authorizing an SSH key 

1. In your cPanel, scroll down to the Security section and click SSH Access. 
2. On the SSH Access page, click on the Manage SSH Keys button. You will see the public and private keys you've created here. 
3. On the Public Keys table, locate the key that you want to authorize, then click Manage. 
4. On the next page, click Authorize to enable the key for SSH access. A confirmation message will appear once the key has been successfully authorized.  

Your SSH Key has now been authorized and can now be used for access.

Viewing and downloading SSH key

1. In your cPanel, scroll down to the Security section and click SSH Access. 
2. On the SSH Access page, click on the Manage SSH Keys button. You will see the public and private keys you've created here. 
3. On the SSH keys table, locate the key that you want to view or download, then click View/Download. 
4. On the next page, you can view your SSH key.  
5. Click Download Key to download it.