SSH - Secure Shell

SSH is a protocol that is very much recommended when logging on to a remote computer over a network, like the Internet. This is because SSH encrypts communication between the local computer and the remote computer, thus making it virtually impossible for anyone to eavesdrop. Even if the information you intend to exchange is not sensitive, it is likely that you will be asked for a password. SSH protects this password with strong encryption, thus severely enhancing security. Some of the properties of SSH are:

• Encryption of the connection between the computers (may be turned off).
• The initial password is never sent in clear text.
• Support for authentication using RSA keys instead of regular passwords.
• Support for using X software.

To read more about the properties of SSH, you may look at the manual pages on a Unix computer by typing man ssh. Here you will find more information about how to generate your own set of RSA keys for authentication, and also how to distribute public keys, which is necessary for enabling a password-less login. You may read more about encryption and public key technology in the article about cryptography and PGP.

The most common use of SSH is with terminal applicatioins that basically resemble Telnet. Telnet, however, is not encrypted, and you may therefore not use it to log on to any computers at NTNU. You may use SSH to log on to login.stud.ntnu.no.

If you wish to use an SSH client to log on to login.stud.ntnu.no, you may use a web-based client at the address http://login.stud.ntnu.no/ssh/. Below are links to the web pages of some other SSH clients, which you may install on your own computer. These programs are intended for use on your home computer. Do not attempt to install them on university computers without first talking to the sysem administrator. He or she should make sure that an SSH client is installed on every computer. Many of these clients have not been tested by Orakeltjenesten, so we do not guarantee that they will work. We appreciate any response.