SSH access for Web Hosting

Follow these instructions to generate and configure your SSH keys for name.com web hosting. SSH (Secure Shell) provides a secure method for accessing your server's command line and managing files through your connection client.

Step 1: Generate a new key

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Navigate to the Security section and click SSH Access.

1. Click Manage SSH Keys. This area allows you to manage existing keys or create new ones.
2. Click + Generate a New Key.
3. Enter a Key Name (the default is id_rsa).
4. Set a strong Key Password.
   • Note: It is essential that you keep this password; you will need it to authenticate when using your FTP client.
5. Click Generate Key.

Step 2: Authorize the public key

Once the keys are created, the Public Key will initially be listed as "not authorized." You must authorize it before it can be used to access the server.

1. Click Go Back to return to the Manage SSH Keys screen.
2. In the Public Keys list, locate your new key and click Manage.
3. Click the Authorize button.

Step 3: Download your keys

To use the keys, you should download both the public and private versions to your local computer.

1. Return to the Manage SSH Keys page.
2. Under Public Keys, click View/Download for your key and save the file.
3. Under Private Keys, click View/Download.
   • If you use a Windows-based client like PuTTY, you may use the conversion tool at the bottom of the page to convert the key to a .ppk format using your passphrase.
4. Download the private key and store it in a secure location on your machine.

Important security notes

• Keep your password: The password you set during generation is required every time you connect. If lost, you will need to generate a new key pair.
• Protect your private key: Your Private Key should never be shared. It is a sensitive security credential that provides direct access to your hosting environment.

• • Managing keys: You can return to the Manage SSH Keys page at any time to delete old or compromised keys to ensure your account remains secure.