How to Install and Enable SSH on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol used to connect and remotely manage systems over a network securely. It is a crucial tool for Linux Mint users who need to access their systems remotely, transfer files securely, and perform administrative tasks.

SSH provides a secure way to access a Linux Mint system from anywhere in the world using an encrypted connection, which is especially important for users who work remotely or need to manage systems from a different location. It is a powerful tool that can perform various tasks, such as transferring files, executing commands, and managing processes.

This guide will demonstrate how to install and enable SSH on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 using the command line terminal and some basic configuration example options. By following these steps, you can ensure that your SSH connection is secure and protected from potential attacks while allowing you to access and manage your Linux Mint system easily.

Prerequisites

Before we proceed with the installation, make sure that you have the following:

• A running instance of Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20
• Access to the terminal with administrative privileges

Step 1: Update System Packages

First, we must ensure that all our system packages are up-to-date. Open up your terminal and type the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command will update your system’s package list and download the latest version of all packages installed.

Step 2: Install OpenSSH

To install OpenSSH on Linux Mint, we need to run the following command:

sudo apt install openssh-server

This command will download and install OpenSSH on your machine. Once the installation is complete, OpenSSH will start automatically.

Step 3: Verify OpenSSH Installation

To verify that OpenSSH is installed and running on your machine, we can use the following command:

systemctl status ssh

If OpenSSH is running, you should see output similar to the following:

Step 4: Configure OpenSSH

By default, OpenSSH is configured to allow remote access for all users. However, for security reasons, it is recommended to restrict access to specific users. To do this, we need to modify the OpenSSH configuration file.

Open the configuration file with your preferred text editor:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Then, locate the following line:

#PermitRootLogin prohibit-password

Uncomment it and set it to:

PermitRootLogin no

This will disable root login over SSH. Next, add the following lines to restrict access to specific users:

AllowUsers your_username

Replace your username with your desired username. You can add multiple usernames separated by a space.

To further enhance security, you can also disable password-based authentication and use public key authentication instead. Locate the line that reads:

#PasswordAuthentication yes

Uncomment this line by removing the “#” symbol at the beginning, and set it to:

PasswordAuthentication no

This disables password-based authentication and forces users to use public key authentication for SSH login.

To limit the number of failed login attempts, add the following line:

MaxAuthTries 3

After making these changes, save the file by pressing “CTRL+X” and “Y.”

Step 5: Restart OpenSSH

To apply the changes we made to the configuration file, we need to restart the OpenSSH service:

sudo systemctl restart ssh

Step 6: Connect to OpenSSH

Now that OpenSSH is installed and configured on your machine, you can connect to it from another machine using an SSH client.

To connect to your machine, open your terminal and type:

ssh your_username@your_machine_ip

Replace your_username with your desired username and your_machine_ip with your machine’s IP address.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing and enabling SSH on Linux Mint is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps. With SSH, you can remotely access your Linux Mint system and securely transfer files between systems. By following the best practices for using SSH, you can ensure that your connection is secure and protected from potential attacks.

It is important to update your SSH client and server, disable root login, change the default port, and use public key authentication to enhance security further. Troubleshooting SSH connection issues may be necessary, but you can quickly resolve any issues by checking the configuration file, verifying the SSH service is running, and checking the network connection and firewall settings. By taking the necessary precautions and following the best practices, you can confidently use SSH to access your Linux Mint system with peace of mind remotely.

FAQs on SSH with Linux Mint