Learn how to setup SSH keys in PuTTY for secure, password-less authentication. Follow our step-by-step guide to generate, configure, and use SSH keys with PuTTY on Windows. #centlinux #linux #ssh
SSH keys are a pair of cryptographic keys used for authenticating and securing SSH (Secure Shell) connections. SSH keys provide a more secure and convenient alternative to password-based authentication. Here’s an overview of SSH keys and their functionality:
SSH keys are a powerful and secure method for authenticating SSH connections. They provide enhanced security and convenience over traditional password-based logins. By understanding and properly managing SSH keys, users can significantly improve the security of their remote server access.
PuTTY is a free and open-source SSH and telnet client. It is primarily developed by Simon Tatham for Microsoft Windows but now it supports a wide variety of other operating systems. Public key authentication is a feature of PuTTY, in which, we can configure SSH Keys to allow password less logins to Linux machines from our PuTTY terminals.
In this article, we will setup SSH Keys in PuTTY by using PuTTYgen and then configure a CentOS 7 machine for password less logins by SSH client.
One Microsoft Windows based client and a CentOS 7 based server.
Read Also: Configure SSH Passwordless Logins between Linux servers
PuTTYgen is included with PuTTY SSH client. Both are free and open source and distributed under MIT License. Therefore, it is available for free download at PuTTY official website.
We have already installed PuTTY SSH client on our MS Windows client.
Search and run PuTTYgen application.
Click on Generate button to generate a SSH Public/Private keys pair.
Meanwhile, we are required to scroll mouse in the area under the progress bar for randomization and generation of SSH Keys.
PuTTYgen has generated a SSH Public/Private keys pair.
Click on Save private key button to save the SSH Private Key locally.
Since, we are not defining any passphrase, therefore, PuTTYgen is displaying the above warning.
Ignore it and click on Yes.
We have saved our Private SSH Key in a local directory. You can also save your Public SSH Key in the same way, if you plan to use this same SSH Keys pair for more than one Linux machines.
Select the generated SSH Public Key and copy it to clipboard.
Connect to our CentOS 7 machine using PuTTY and insert SSH Public Key in ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file.
login as: root root@192.168.116.131's password: Last login: Tue Jan 1 18:58:53 2019 from 192.168.116.1 # mkdir ~/.ssh # vi ~/.ssh/authorized_keys # exit
Now, open PuTTY and add a session for that CentOS 7 server.
Besides other settings, we are required to include our Private SSH Key as follows:
Save first and then open this session.
login as: root Authenticating with public key "rsa-key-20190101" Last login: Tue Jan 1 18:59:44 2019 from 192.168.116.1 #
Our CentOS 7 server won’t prompt for a password this time.
Setting up SSH keys in PuTTY is an essential step for enhancing the security and convenience of your remote server connections. If you need expert assistance with configuring SSH keys or any other PuTTY-related tasks, I am here to help. Check out my Fiverr gig for professional and reliable services: Linux Technical Support
Let’s ensure your remote connections are secure and efficient!
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