SSHSchlüsselpaare

SSHSchlüsselpaare, also known as SSH key pairs, are a fundamental component of secure shell (SSH) authentication. They consist of two mathematically linked keys: a private key and a public key. The private key is kept secret by the user and should never be shared. The public key, on the other hand, can be freely distributed and is typically placed on servers or systems that the user wishes to access.

When a user attempts to connect to an SSH server that has their public key stored, the server initiates a challenge-response authentication process. The server sends a random challenge to the client. The client then uses its private key to decrypt or sign this challenge. The server, having the corresponding public key, can verify the client's response. If the response is valid, the server grants access without requiring a password.

This method offers several advantages over password-based authentication. It is generally more secure, as it eliminates the risk of brute-force password attacks and phishing. SSH keys are also more convenient, as they allow for automated logins and script execution without the need to manually enter passwords. The generation of SSH Schlüsselpaare is typically done using command-line tools like ssh-keygen. Users must ensure the security of their private key to maintain the integrity of their SSH access.