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Asked: 2024-09-24T08:54:11+05:30 In:

What steps should I follow to set up a fresh Ubuntu installation for SSH access?

I’ve got a new machine, and I’m really excited to set up a fresh Ubuntu installation on it. The goal is to configure it for SSH access so I can connect to it remotely. However, I’ve never done this before, and honestly, I’m a bit overwhelmed with the whole process. Where should I even start?

First off, I think I need to install Ubuntu. I’m planning to use the latest version, but do I need to choose something specific during the installation process to make sure it plays nicely with SSH? Should I be doing anything special regarding the network settings before or during the installation?

Once I’ve got Ubuntu up and running, what’s next? I’ve heard that it’s important to install the SSH server. Is that something I can do right away, or should I tweak any system settings first? I’m just a bit lost about whether to dive into the SSH setup immediately or if there are prerequisite configurations I should handle first.

Then there’s the whole user and permissions part. Do I need to create a new user account specifically for SSH access, or is it safe to use the default one? I’ve read conflicting advice about root access over SSH. Should I enable root login, or is it better to keep that disabled for security reasons?

Also, what about the firewall? I know I need to open the right port for SSH, but is there a straightforward way to do this in Ubuntu? I hear there are different firewall tools available, and I’m not sure which one to use or how to go about configuring it.

Lastly, what security measures should I put in place? I’ve seen mention of using SSH keys instead of passwords, and I’m curious about how to set that up. But again, I don’t want to get lost in the steps and mess something up.

If anyone has been through this or has tips on the steps I should follow for setting everything up correctly, I would really appreciate your insights. I could really use some guidance to ensure I get this right and have a secure and accessible setup! Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers


    1. To start your fresh Ubuntu installation, simply download the latest version from the official Ubuntu website and create a bootable USB drive or DVD to install from. During the installation process, you don’t need to make any specific changes to accommodate SSH. However, ensure your machine is connected to the Internet so it can update packages post-installation. Once you’ve completed the installation and rebooted into your new system, you’ll want to update your package list and install the OpenSSH server right away. You can do this by running sudo apt update and sudo apt install openssh-server in the terminal, which will prepare your machine for SSH access.

      Regarding user accounts, it’s best practice to create a new user specifically for SSH access rather than using the default one, and you should avoid enabling root login for security reasons. After setting up your new user, you’ll want to configure your firewall to allow SSH connections. Ubuntu typically uses UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), which simplifies enabling ports. To allow SSH, run sudo ufw allow ssh. For added security, consider setting up SSH key authentication instead of using passwords. Generate an SSH key pair on your local machine using ssh-keygen, and then copy the public key to your Ubuntu machine with ssh-copy-id username@your_server_ip. This setup ensures secure and efficient remote access while minimizing risks.




    2. Setting Up SSH on Ubuntu

      Getting Started with SSH on Your New Ubuntu Machine

      Alright, so first things first, you’ll want to get Ubuntu installed. Just grab the latest version (LTS is usually a safe bet), and during installation, you don’t have to worry about SSH just yet. It’ll come later!

      When you’re installing, make sure your network settings are good—like being connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. No need to mess with anything fancy; just ensure you have internet access.

      Installing SSH

      Once Ubuntu is up and running, the first thing to do is install the SSH server. Just open up a terminal and type:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-server

      That’s it! This will set up your SSH server so you can connect to it later.

      Users and Permissions

      Now, about user accounts: If you’re the only one using the machine, it’s cool to use your default user. But it’s usually safer to create a new user just for SSH access. You can do this with:

      sudo adduser your_new_username

      No, you don’t want to enable root login for SSH! Just keep it disabled for security reasons. It’s way safer to log in as a regular user and then use `sudo` for admin tasks.

      Firewall Configuration

      For the firewall, Ubuntu comes with UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) which is super simple to use. To allow SSH connections, just type:

      sudo ufw allow ssh

      This opens the necessary port (22) for you.

      Enhancing Security

      Okay, let’s talk security! Using SSH keys instead of passwords is a must. It makes things way safer. Here’s a quick way to set it up:

      1. On your client machine (the one you’ll connect from), generate an SSH key with:
        2. ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096
      2. Then copy your public key to your Ubuntu box with:
        3. ssh-copy-id your_username@your_ubuntu_ip
      3. Now, you can log in using your key! Make sure to disable password authentication later on.

      And that’s pretty much it! Just take it step by step, and you’ll have your SSH set up in no time. If you get stuck, just look for more guides or tutorials—they’re everywhere!


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