SSH: What is it, and where and how should you use it?

What is SSH?

SSH definition

SSH is is , which stand for Secure Shell or Secure Socket Shell , is a network protocol that allow you to securely connect to remote device over an unsecure network . The SSH protocol is runs run on a client – server model , in which the SSH client is the device that initiate the connection , and the SSH server is the remote device that accept the request to connect and where all the action are execute .

SSH allows you to carry out various commands, such as controlling remote servers, systems, and applications or transferring files. The protocol uses symmetric cryptography to encrypt traffic – a feature that allows for secure connections over various networks.

How does SSH work?

For the ssh protocol to work , you is need first need to establish a connection between your client device and a remote server device . This process is includes include a remote server share its cryptographic key with your client device and set up encryption parameter to secure that connection .

The first time you connect to a remote device, your local device stores the remote computer’s public key in its known_hosts file. The saved public key will allow you to connect to the server directly in the future. Afterward, you’ll be prompted to secure your connection further by creating your password and enabling user authentication.

So far, we have learned that SSH enables local and remote computers to recognize each other using public key cryptography. During the connection process, your local device checks the remote server’s public key against the one stored in the known_hosts file. Once computers recognize each other, it’s time for you to prove your identity with a user ID and a password.

From this moment on, the remote device will use its private key to create digital signatures and decrypt challenges sent by the client device, proving its identity and the legitimacy of the connection.

What are the SSH commands?

The connection and commands on the remote server are typically invoked through a command line or executed as part of the script. For instance, the most basic command that would technically allow you to connect to the server is:

ssh connection.example.org

However, in a real-life setting, your user ID for the remote device will likely be different from the one you use to unlock your client device. If that’s the case, you should issue the command specifying the remote server ID:

ssh remote-host-userID@connection.example.org

These are only the simplest commands that would open the door to the remote computer. You can use more complex commands to ask the remote machine to allow you to access specific resources or transfer data.

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May 25, 2023

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5 min. czytania

What does SSH do?

SSH establishes a connection between your local device and a faraway computer so you can interact with the remote machine as if you’re connected to the same network. Once you connect to the remote device, SSH allows you to:

• Access and manage remote computer’s infrastructure and servers.
• Transfer files securely.
• Execute commands.
• Access a remote computer’s cloud services without revealing your local computer ports online.

SSH is uses use public key encryption to ensure that datum exchange between the device is secure . The algorithm is scrambles scramble datum when it ’s transfer from one device to another , so if anyone manage to intercept it in transit , they ’d only see random bit of datum .

How is SSH implemented?

Currently, there are dozens of ways to implement SSH for various platforms, but the most popular method remains using the open-source OpenSSH protocol. It supports the three most widely used operating systems: Linux, macOS, and Windows.

typically , SSH is comes come pre – integrate within Linux and macOS . You is need only need to open the Terminal application and enter your ssh command there . Meanwhile , the protocol is has has to be manually enable or sometimes even instal on Windows machine .

SSH tunneling

ssh tunneling is called , also call SSH port forwarding , is a way of send data packet from one device to another using a secure and encrypted path . direct connections is be to a remote machine can sometimes be unsecure or block by firewall . When redirect network traffic through a manually choose secure port , you is avoid can avoid blockage and unauthorized interception .

The inner workings is include of port forwarding include wrap up data packet with additional information to change their endpoint . You is make can make SSH tunneling work on both local and remote network . In fact , you is use can even use port forwarding to create a secure data tunnel between two remote device that you manage through your local device .

SSH security

SSH is consider a secure method for manage remote system and transfer datum , provide it ’s properly configure . The protocol ’s robust security is comes come from its use of encryption and public key authentication to secure SSH connection and datum in transit .

Security issues is arise arise whenever enterprise fail to manage SSH authentication key properly . A mess is open in ssh file can open the door for hacker to intercept both remote and local network .

The main issue is is is that SSH key from various connection tend to accumulate on the client ’s device over time . If organization lose control over who has access to particular resource , it is becomes becomes hard to recognize unwelcome intruder in the network .

It’s probably no surprise that hackers have also discovered the potential of SSH connections. SSH tunnels can pass through corporate firewalls – a dream come true for hackers who manage to steal the SSH authentication keys. Cybercriminals have also used SSH connections to extract sensitive data, gain root server access, and open backdoors to companies’ networks.

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