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Asked: 2024-09-23T17:30:50+05:30 In:

What is the simplest method to transfer SSH keys from one computer to another?

So, I’ve been diving into the world of SSH and remote servers lately, and I’m running into a bit of a sticky situation that I could really use some help with. I’ve got two machines – my trusty old laptop and a new shiny desktop that I just set up. They’re both running on Linux, but I’m struggling with transferring my SSH keys from one to the other.

I want to be able to access my remote servers from both, but right now, I have everything set up properly on the old laptop, and I don’t want to go through the whole process of generating new keys and updating everything on the servers just to add the new machine. It feels like a waste of time when there’s a possibility of just transferring the existing SSH keys.

I’ve heard that you can do it via a couple of methods like SCP or even using USB drives, but honestly, I’m not entirely sure what the easiest and most secure way would be. I mean, I get the basics of SSH, but when it comes to transferring keys, I’m a bit lost. Has anyone gone through this before?

Also, I’m a little paranoid about security here. I don’t want to accidentally expose my keys while trying to move them over. If I remember correctly, the permissions for the `.ssh` directory and the key files have to be just right, or things could go south pretty quickly.

So here’s what I really want to know: What’s the simplest and safest method to transfer SSH keys from my laptop to this new desktop? Any tips would be seriously appreciated. And if you have any advice on best practices for keeping it all secure during the transfer, that would be golden. I’m all ears!

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    2 Answers

    1. To transfer your SSH keys from your old laptop to the new desktop, the simplest method would be using the scp (secure copy) command. First, you need to locate your SSH keys, which are usually found in the ~/.ssh/ directory. You can copy the entire directory containing your keys using a command like the following: scp -r ~/.ssh username@new_desktop_IP:~/.ssh. Replace username with your actual username on the new desktop and new_desktop_IP with the IP address of your new desktop. This method is generally secure because it leverages SSH for the transfer, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of your data.

      After transferring your keys, ensure the permissions are set correctly to maintain security. The .ssh directory should have permissions set to 700, and your private keys should be set to 600. You can set these permissions using the commands: chmod 700 ~/.ssh and chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa (replace id_rsa with your actual private key file if it’s different). As an additional security measure, consider using key-based authentication protocols and regularly check your server’s authorized_keys file to ensure only the necessary public keys are present. This way, you can seamlessly access your remote servers while maintaining a strong security posture.






    2. Transferring SSH Keys


      Transferring SSH Keys

      You’re on the right track by wanting to transfer your SSH keys rather than generating new ones – saves a lot of time and hassle! Here’s a simple way to do it:

      Method 1: Using SCP

      If both your old laptop and new desktop are on the same network or you can access your desktop via SSH, you can use scp (Secure Copy Protocol) to transfer your SSH keys. The keys are typically located in the ~/.ssh/ directory. To copy them, run this command on your old laptop:

      scp ~/.ssh/id_rsa* username@desktop-ip:~/.ssh/

      Replace username with your desktop’s username and desktop-ip with its IP address.

      Method 2: USB Drive

      If you’re worried about network security, using a USB drive is a great option too. Just copy your SSH keys onto the drive:

      cp ~/.ssh/id_rsa* /path/to/usb

      Then, plug the USB into your new desktop and copy them over:

      cp /path/to/usb/id_rsa* ~/.ssh/

      Permissions Check

      Once you’ve transferred your keys, you need to ensure the permissions are set correctly. Run these commands on your new desktop:

      chmod 700 ~/.ssh
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa
chmod 644 ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

      This keeps your private key secure while allowing public keys to be read by others.

      Best Practices

      • Always make sure your private key (id_rsa) is not exposed to anyone other than you.
      • Consider using a passphrase for your SSH keys for added security.
      • After transferring, double-check the original location on your old laptop to ensure you’ve not left sensitive info lying around.

      That should get you up and running with your SSH keys on your new desktop! Good luck, and stay secure!


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