How to Connect to a Server with SSH

Secure Shell (SSH) is a widely used protocol that allows you to securely connect to a remote server over an encrypted connection. It is an essential tool for managing servers and transferring files. This guide will show you how to connect to a server using SSH from a Linux, macOS, or Windows system.

What you need as prerequisites

In your local machine, you should have an ssh client:

1: Get Your Server IP Address and User Credentials

In SSH you will need the IP address of the server or the domain name and the Username that you will use to log in. If you have a VPS hosted on one of the hosting providers, you most likely find those details in your control panel, as most of the providers preconfigure the servers with such detail

2: Open the Terminal (Linux/macOS) or PowerShell (Windows)

For Windows, you can either open PowerShell or use PuTTY if you prefer a graphical SSH client

3: Use the SSH Command to Connect (Linux/macOS/Windows PowerShell)

In the terminal or PowerShell, use the following command to connect to your server:

For example, you will see something similar to this command

After entering the command you will be asked to confirm with “yes” or “no”, type yes to continue

You will then be prompted for your password. Enter the password for the remote user (it won't display as you type for security reasons), then press Enter.

And that's it, you are now connected to the server

4: Connect Using PuTTY (Windows)

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to connect to a remote server securely using SSH, whether you're using Linux, macOS, or Windows. With SSH, you can manage your server from anywhere with a secure connection. SSH keys provide an even more secure and convenient method of connecting, and tools like PuTTY offer an alternative for users who prefer a graphical interface.

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