CP Features, cPanel

Secure SSH access to your cPanel account complete guide

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SSH (Secure Shell) is a powerful tool for securely connecting to your cPanel account over a network. It allows you to manage your server remotely using commands instead of a web interface. This guide will walk you through to establish a secure SSH connection and securing transfer files, configure settings, and perform other administrative tasks.

Step 1- Enabling SSH Access

1. Firstly, log in to your cPanel account.

2. Locate the “Security” section within the cPanel interface.

3. Look for the option labeled “SSH Access” or a similar setting.

4. Click on the appropriate button to enable SSH access if it’s currently disabled.

(Note: Your web hosting provider might have specific instructions for enabling SSH access. Consult their documentation if needed)

Step 2- Connecting via SSH Client

1. Launch your SSH client application.

2. Enter the hostname or IP address of your cPanel server in the designated field. This information can surely be obtained from your web hosting provider’s welcome email or control panel settings.

3. The default SSH port is 22. Unless specified otherwise by your web hosting provider, keep the port number set to 22.

4. Provide your cPanel account username in the designated field.

5. There are two process for authentication:

Password-based

If using password authentication, enter your cPanel account password when prompted.

(Security Recommendation: Consider using SSH key-based authentication for enhanced security. Refer to the next section for details)

SSH Key-based (Recommended)

For a more secure approach, configure SSH key-based authentication. This indeed involves generating a key pair on your local machine and adding the public key to your cPanel account. Consult BigCloudy’s support team, documentation or knowledge base for specific instructions on setting up SSH key-based authentication for cPanel.

6. Click “Connect” or initiate the connection process within your SSH client.

7. Once successfully connected, you’ll be presented with a command prompt. You can then utilize various Linux commands to manage your cPanel account from the remote location.

By following these steps and adhering to security best practices, you can effectively connect to your cPanel account using SSH, enabling remote server management capabilities.