What You’ll Need Before You Connect?

VPS Access Credentials:

• IP address: The IP address of your virtual private server.
• SSH Port: By default, SSH uses port 22. If your VPS is using a different port for security reasons, make sure you know the correct one.
• Username: Typically, the username will be root for Linux-based VPS but it may vary depending on your VPS provider or your setup.
• Password or SSH Key: If you are connecting using a password, you will need the password for the username. Alternatively, you may use an SSH key for more secure and password-less login.

SSH Client:

• • Linux/Mac: These operating systems have SSH pre-installed.
  • Windows: Windows 10 and newer have an integrated SSH client. If you are using an older version of Windows or prefer a graphical interface, you can use tools like PuTTY or MobaXterm.

Connecting to Your VPS Using SSH

1. Open a Terminal (Linux/Mac) or SSH Client (Windows)

• Linux/Mac:

Open the terminal on your computer. You can usually find it in your applications folder or by searching for “Terminal.”

• Windows:

For newer versions of Windows such as Windows 10, you can use the integrated Windows Terminal or Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can use third-party applications like PuTTY or MobaXterm.

2. Use the SSH Command to Connect

• Linux/Mac:

In the terminal, type the following command:

ssh username@your_vps_ip_address

Replace username with the appropriate user for your virtual private server (e.g., root or any custom user you have set up) and your_vps_ip_address with the actual IP address of your VPS.

Example:

ssh root@192.168.1.1

If your VPS Using SSH uses a non-default port (other than port 22) use the -p flag to specify the port:

ssh -p 2222 root@192.168.1.1

• Windows (Using Windows Terminal or Command Prompt):

In the terminal or command prompt, use the same SSH command as Linux/macOS:

ssh username@your_vps_ip_address

If you are using PuTTY, open the application and enter your VPS’s IP address in the “Host Name” field. Set the port (usually 22, unless specified otherwise) and choose the SSH protocol. Click “Open” to connect.

3. Authenticate Using Password or SSH Key

• Password Authentication:

If you are using a password, after executing the SSH command, you will be prompted to enter the password for the username you have used. Type your password and press Enter. Remember that the characters won’t appear on the screen, but they are being typed. If everything is correct, you should be logged in to your virtual private server.

• SSH Key Authentication:

If you set up SSH key authentication, the SSH client will use your private key to authenticate the connection. You should have already added your public key to the VPS during its setup.

If you are using Windows with PuTTY, you will need to configure your private key in PuTTY’s settings. In the “Session” window, under “Connection > SSH > Auth,” browse and select your private key file (often with the .ppk extension).

If you have not set up SSH keys yet, it is a good idea to do so for added security. You can generate an SSH key pair using ssh-keygen (Linux/macOS) or tools like PuTTYgen (Windows).

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4. Verify Your Connection

Once logged in, you will see a command prompt showing the name of your virtual private server and other information like the hostname. This indicates that you are connected successfully. From here, you can perform various administrative tasks on the virtual private server.

Troubleshooting SSH Connection Issues

If you are unable to connect, there are several common issues to check:

Incorrect IP Address or Username:

Make sure you have entered the correct IP address for your virtual private server and the right username.

Firewall Rules:

Ensure that your VPS firewall allows VPS Using SSH connections (port 22 by default). If the firewall is blocking the connection, you will need to modify the rules. For example, in UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) on Ubuntu, you can allow SSH with:

sudo ufw allow ssh

SSH Service Not Running:

If SSH is not running on your virtual private server, you won’t be able to connect. You can check and start the SSH service on your VPS by running this command:

sudo systemctl start ssh

SSH Port Blocked by ISP:

In rare cases, an internet service provider (ISP) may block certain ports like port 22. In this case, you can configure SSH to run on a different port. Ensure you use the correct port when connecting.

Permission Denied Error:

This is often a sign that you entered an incorrect password or do not have permission to log in as the user. Double-check your username and password or ensure your SSH key is properly added to the server.

SSH Keys Configuration:

If you are using SSH keys, ensure that the public key has been correctly added to the ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file of the user you are logging in as. The permissions of the ~/.ssh directory and the authorized_keys file should be set properly:

chmod 700 ~/.ssh

chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

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Server Overload or Misconfiguration:

If the server is under heavy load, the VPS Using SSH service may not respond properly. You can try to restart the server or check system logs for clues.

Use the following command to check if the SSH service is running:

systemctl status ssh

Securing SSH Access

Once you are connected to your virtual private server, it is important to ensure that your SSH access is secure.

Here are some best practices:

Disable Password Authentication:

To enhance security, consider disabling password authentication and relying solely on SSH keys.

To do this, open the SSH configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Find the line PasswordAuthentication yes and change it to PasswordAuthentication no.

Restart the SSH service to apply the change:

sudo systemctl restart ssh

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Change the Default SSH Port:

For an added layer of security, consider changing the default VPS Using SSH port (22) to a random port. In the SSH configuration file (/etc/ssh/sshd_config), change the Port directive to a port number of your choice (e.g., Port 2222). Remember to update your connection command accordingly.

Use Fail2ban:

Fail2ban is a tool that helps protect against brute-force attacks by banning IPs after a set number of failed login attempts. Install it and configure it to protect your SSH access.

Regularly Update Your System:

Always keep your virtual private server updated to protect against security vulnerabilities.

Run updates regularly:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Limit SSH Access with Firewall:

Use a firewall to limit SSH access to only specific IP addresses. This will prevent unauthorized users from attempting to connect.

Conclusion

Connecting to your virtual private server via VPS Using SSH is a straightforward process once you have the correct credentials and tools in place. It is important to follow best practices to secure your connection, especially when using SSH keys instead of passwords and changing the default SSH port.

Regular server monitoring of your virtual private server security and performance will ensure that your server remains secure and functional. By understanding the basic process and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to connect to your VPS with ease and manage your server effectively.

Did this article help you in connecting your virtual private server using a secure shell? Share it with us in the comments section below.

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