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What Is Secure Shell (SSH)?

Secure Shell (SSH) enables secure computer connections through public-key cryptography, facilitating safe file transfers and remote computer access.
Security
2 min read

Secure Shell (SSH) is a way to securely connect computers. It uses public-key cryptography (a lot of math, like SSL) to set up a secure connection. Using SSH, you can safely transfer files from one computer to another (via SFTP). You can also remotely log into a different computer with SSH.

Why do you need a secure connection to transfer files and log into a different computer? Without a secure connection, anyone with your IP address could log into your server and change every file on your website. And, your usernames and passwords would be sent in plain, unencrypted text for anyone to see. SSH not only protects your server and websites, it also protects almost every website you visit on a daily basis.

SSH and SSL—Secure Socket Layers—are similar. They are both ways to encrypt information and move it between computers. They were both developed in the 1990s and are still being refined today. There are some differences, but it’s important to know each protocol’s function.

SSH is typically used for transferring files from one computer (or server) to another and remotely logging into a computer. If you’re building a website and managing a server, you’re likely to encounter SSH. Uploading files to your server through SFTP is a common use of SSH. If you have a problem with your server, our Support team will use SSH to log into your server and help you. Every server at Liquid Web has SSH, so you don’t have to do anything to set it up.

SSL is generally used by web browsers to make sure information you submit over the internet isn’t being intercepted. This includes credit card information in online stores, usernames and passwords in login boxes, and personal information in online forms.

Now that you know the basics of SSH, you can learn how to use SSH to securely transfer files with the SSH File Transfer Protocol for cPanel and Cloud Sites (Plesk uses, FTPS, which is FTP over SSL). Once you feel comfortable with SSH, you can also learn how to make your site even more secure by Changing Your SSH Port with the Command Line.

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