How to Manage SSH Access from cPanel

Secure Shell (SSH) is a network protocol that allows secure access to a remote computer. Many web hosting providers, including cPanel, offer SSH access as a feature for managing your server. In this guide, we will show you how to manage SSH access from cPanel effectively.

Enabling SSH Access in cPanel

Before you can start managing SSH access from cPanel, you need to ensure that SSH access is enabled on your hosting account. Here's how you can do it:

1. Login to your cPanel account.
2. Go to the 'Security' section and click on 'SSH Access'.
3. Click on the 'Manage SSH Keys' button.
4. Generate a new SSH key pair or import an existing one.
5. Click on 'Authorize' to enable SSH access for the key.

Managing SSH Keys in cPanel

Once SSH access is enabled, you can manage your SSH keys in cPanel. Here are some key tasks you can perform:

Adding SSH Keys

To add a new SSH key in cPanel, follow these steps:

1. Click on the 'Manage SSH Keys' button in the 'SSH Access' section.
2. Click on 'Import Key' and paste your public key into the text box.
3. Click on 'Import' to add the key to your account.

Removing SSH Keys

If you no longer need a specific SSH key, you can remove it from cPanel:

1. Click on the 'Manage SSH Keys' button in the 'SSH Access' section.
2. Locate the key you want to remove and click on 'Delete'.
3. Confirm the deletion to remove the key from your account.

Using SSH in cPanel

With SSH access enabled and your keys managed, you can now use SSH to connect to your server. Here are some common tasks you can perform using SSH in cPanel:

Logging into Your Server

To log into your server using SSH, open a terminal window and use the following command:

Replace 'username' with your cPanel username and 'hostname' with your server's hostname or IP address.

Managing Files

You can use SSH to manage files on your server using commands like 'ls', 'cd', 'mkdir', 'rm', and 'mv'. For example, to list files in a directory, use:

Running Commands

You can run various commands on your server using SSH. For example, to update your server's packages, use:

Securing SSH Access

It's essential to secure your SSH access to prevent unauthorized access to your server. Here are some best practices:

Use Strong Passwords

Ensure that you use strong, unique passwords for your cPanel account and SSH keys to prevent brute force attacks.

Disable Root Login

Disable root login via SSH and instead use a regular user account with sudo privileges for better security.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Consider enabling two-factor authentication for your cPanel account to add an extra layer of security.

Conclusion

Managing SSH access from cPanel is an essential task for server administrators. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively enable, manage, and secure SSH access to your server. Remember to regularly review and update your SSH keys and follow best security practices to protect your server from unauthorized access.