If you’ve ever needed to connect to a remote server, deploy a project, or manage a VPS — you’ve probably heard about SSH. But what is it, really?
🧠 What is SSH?
- SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol that allows you to securely connect to another computer over a network.
It’s like opening a safe, encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server — everything you type and send stays protected from prying eyes.
⚙️ How It Works
- You use SSH to log into a remote machine and control it through the command line. It typically runs on port 22, and instead of exposing passwords or unencrypted data, everything is securely encrypted during transmission.
When you connect to a server using SSH, it verifies your identity and then lets you manage files, run programs, and control the system remotely — just like you’re sitting right there.
🔑 Authentication
There are two main ways to log in:
Password-based — simple but less secure.
Key-based — uses a public and private key pair for extra protection.
Most developers prefer SSH keys because they’re harder to hack and easier to automate.
🧰 What You Can Do with SSH
- Connect to servers remotely
- Transfer files securely
- Manage Git repositories safely
- Automate deployments
- Monitor or fix issues without physical access
💡 Why SSH Matters
SSH is one of the core tools of modern development and DevOps. It ensures:
- Encrypted communication
- Secure access to cloud servers and code repositories
- Flexibility for remote work and automation
Without SSH, the modern web as we know it — with remote servers, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms — simply wouldn’t exist.
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