{"id":646,"date":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostinger.io\/hostinger-tutorials\/uncategorized\/sshhow-to-set-up-ssh-keys\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T23:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T23:32:18","slug":"how-to-set-up-ssh-keys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/au\/tutorials\/how-to-set-up-ssh-keys\/","title":{"rendered":"How to set up SSH keys for secure server authentication"},"content":{"rendered":"

SSH keys let you authenticate to a remote server using a pair of authentication keys; one public, one private. You use this pair of keys instead of a password to make remote access more secure. It’s also faster than typing a password each time. <\/p>

Setting up SSH keys involves five steps:<\/p>

    \n
  1. Generating an SSH key pair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Saving the key and adding a passphrase.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Adding the public key to the server or hPanel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Testing SSH key authentication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Disabling password authentication after SSH key login works.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Managing and troubleshooting SSH keys.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    How do SSH keys work?<\/h2>

    SSH<\/a> keys authenticate the connection by signature, not by sending a password. The keys work as a matched pair: one public key<\/strong> and one private key<\/strong>. The public key goes on the remote server, where it checks that signature. The private key stays on your local machine and signs the server’s challenge when prompted. <\/p>

    The server then verifies the signature with the stored public key. If it matches, access is granted, all without sending a password over the network. You should never share your private SSH keys with anyone.<\/p>

    Key type<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

    Where it lives<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

    What it does<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Public key<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

    Remote server<\/span><\/p><\/td>

    Verifies your identity<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Private key<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

    Your local machine<\/span><\/p><\/td>

    Authenticates the connection<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

    Using SSH keys is more secure than normal password authentication. It’s resistant to cyberattacks that target passwords (like brute-force attacks). Even if bad actors intercept your network traffic, the private key doesn’t leave your machine.<\/p>

    What do you need before setting up SSH keys?<\/h2>

    Before you can generate SSH keys, you’ll need these three things:<\/p>