Secure the server

To make the server more secure we will

1. change the default ssh port and

2. we change from password authentication to key files. 

 

1.

The default ssh port is 22. We change this to a random port: here we take the port 4200.

 

- connect to your server using PuTTY

- type in:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

- search for

#Port 22
#AddressFamily any

- change it to 

Port 4200
#AddressFamily any

here you can choose any port you like and is not yet used by another program

- save and exit (STRG+O ; STRG+X)

- retart the sshd deamon

-type in

sudo systemctl restart sshd

 

2.

In the next step we will create a keyfile that include a long an encrypted password that we will use for authentication in stead of a normal passphrase.

Here i will show the way with a Windows PC and the program Putty. You can get it here:

https://www.ssh.com/ssh/putty/download

After downloading and installing Putty

- start PuTTYgen

- change Type of key  to generate: from "RSA" to "ED25519"

- than klick Generate

- move the mouse over the blank area under the green bar

- replace the comment with something more specific for you connection; here it is the nextcloud server so i choose "nextcloud"

- now copy the shown key

- save this in a simple text file on your computer for later

- click on "Save private key" and save it on your computer

- you will be asked for a passphrase, this is to protect your private key file. It's up to you if you want to.  

- this .ppk file (here it is the nextcloud.ppk) is your secure private key and nobodyelse should have this. Please keep it save!

- now log into your server you want to secure with this key using PuTTY

- look if there is already a hidden .ssh folder in your home directory type in:

ls -la

- if not, create one type in:

mkdir .ssh

- change into this directory, type in:

cd .ssh

- type in:

nano authorized_keys

- copy the key you saved in a text file earlier

- save and exit (STRG+O ; STRG+X)

- now you can connect via putty to your server using your .ppk key file

- open PuTTY

- type in your hostname and port

- on the left got to  >"Connetion"  >"SSH"  >"Auth"

- click on "Browse"

- select your private key file (.ppk)

- go back to "Session" and under "Save Sessions" give it a name and click "Save"

 

Now you have successfull saved your connection to your server with a key file.

When everything works fine and you can connect with your new keyfile it's time to disable the password authentication for ssh.

- connect to your server

- type in:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

- search for: 

#LoginGraceTime 2m
#PermitRootLogin prohibit-password

- change it to 

#LoginGraceTime 2m
PermitRootLogin no

- this disables the possible login via the user: root

- next search for:

# To disable tunneled clear text passwords, change to no here!
#PasswordAuthentication yes

- change it to 

# To disable tunneled clear text passwords, change to no here!
PasswordAuthentication no

- save and exit (STRG+O ; STRG+X)

- restart the ssh deamon; 

- type in:

sudo systemctl restart sshd

Now your server allows no longer connections without a key file.