Disable root login to SSH

aip — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:16:46 +0000

Allowing root logins to your SSH damon is a big security threat. If the SSH port is open, hackers will probably at some time attempt to brute force your root password. It's a good idea to disable root logins to SSH and instead use a normal user to login and use sudo to perform tasks that require root privileges.

1. Open the SSH daemon config file and change this line: (sudo pico /etc/ssh/sshd_config)

PermitRootLogin no

2. Restart the SSH daemon

sudo /etc/init.d/ssh restart

Add a sudoer (user allowed to use sudo)

aip — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:32:41 +0000

Sudo allows a system administrator to delegate authority to give certain users (or groups of users) the ability to run some (or all) commands as root or another user while providing an audit trail of the commands and their arguments.

1. Create a new user (optional)

adduser user1

2. As root, run this command:

visudo

3. Add this line into the file:

user1 ALL=(ALL) ALL

This will allow user1 to run all commands as root. You can also limit the access, Click here to view the syntax

4. Save the file by pressing Ctrl-X if you are using Nano or :w if using vi

Ubuntu Tutorials » Security

Disable root login to SSH

Add a sudoer (user allowed to use sudo)