What is SSH and what is it for?

What is SSH and what is it for

Dictionary

What is SSH and what is it for?

SSH stands for “Secure Shell.” It is a network protocol that allows secure, encrypted communication between two systems over an insecure network. SSH is commonly used for remote login and…

What is SSH and what is it for?
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SSH stands for “Secure Shell.” It is a network protocol that allows secure, encrypted communication between two systems over an insecure network. SSH is commonly used for remote login and file transfer.

One of the main advantages of SSH is that it provides a secure way to access remote systems over the internet. In contrast to other remote access protocols like Telnet, which transmit data in clear text, SSH encrypts all data that is sent between the client and the server. This makes it much more difficult for attackers to intercept or eavesdrop on the communication.

SSH can also be used for file transfer between systems. The SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) provides a secure way to transfer files between systems over the internet. Like SSH itself, SFTP encrypts all data that is sent between the client and the server, providing a secure way to transfer sensitive files.

In addition to remote login and file transfer, SSH can be used for a variety of other tasks. For example, it can be used to tunnel other network protocols over an encrypted SSH connection. This allows protocols like HTTP or FTP to be used securely over an insecure network.

SSH can also be used to execute commands on remote systems. This can be useful for tasks like remote server management or automated system administration.

To use SSH, you will typically need an SSH client installed on your local system, as well as an SSH server running on the remote system you want to connect to. There are many different SSH clients and servers available, both commercial and open source.

In summary, SSH is a secure network protocol that provides encrypted communication between two systems over an insecure network. It is commonly used for remote login and file transfer, but can also be used for a variety of other tasks. If you need to access remote systems securely over the internet, SSH is an excellent tool to consider.