Is SSH key required for SFTP?

Some SFTP servers require both an SSH key and password for additional authentication . Anyone who tries to login with the username or password (or both) but doesn't have the correct private/public key match will be denied access to the server, regardless of whether they try to brute-force it.

Can SFTP work without SSH?

SFTP cannot exist without SSH — SFTP uses SSH as the binding agent to transfer files securely. In other words, SSH protocol is used in the file transfer mechanism SFTP. In fact, most SSH servers include SFTP capabilities. However, not all SFTP servers support SSH commands and actions.

What type of SSH key to generate?

RSA Keys . This is the default option for ssh-keygen on most Linux distributions and for Puttygen (the most popular Windows key generator). It is still the most widely supported key type, however this is not a reason to skip other newer key types.

How to generate SSH key on remote machine?

To generate an SSH key on your Linux server, run the command ssh-keygen . The command can take flags if you would like to customize the type of key that is generated and the signing algorithms that are used to generate the key. This example generates a standard 2048-bit RSA key without a passphrase.

What is the SSH protocol for SFTP?

In computing, the SSH File Transfer Protocol (also known as Secure File Transfer Protocol or SFTP) is a network protocol that provides file access, file transfer, and file management over any reliable data stream .

Does SFTP use SSL or SSH?

For authentication FTPS (or, to be more precise, the SSL/TLS protocol under FTP) uses X. 509 certificates, while SFTP (the SSH protocol) uses SSH keys . X. 509 certificates include the public key and certain information about the certificate owner.

How to generate PEM file for SFTP?

Obtaining An SFTP Private Key Via The User Web UI Once inside, click the link labeled My Account at the upper-right corner of the screen. Next, navigate to the section Public Key Authentication and then click Generate Key Pair. Choose an encryption type and length, then select PEM for the file type.

How to generate SSH key for connection?

Open Command Prompt and use the ssh-keygen command with the -C flag to create a new SSH key pair . Replace the following: WINDOWS_USER : your username on the Windows machine. KEY_FILENAME : the name for your SSH key file.

Are SSH keys necessary?

SSH supports two main methods of authentication: passwords and keys. Passwords are easy to use and remember, but they are also vulnerable to brute-force attacks, phishing, and human errors. Keys are more secure and efficient, but they require more setup and management .

Does SFTP use SSH port?

Since SFTP runs over the SSH protocol as a subsystem, SFTP uses port 22 by default . The SSH server at port 22 listens for client requests. The port number can be changed, if desired, for testing or other reasons.

Generating SFTP (SSH) Keys (2024)

SFTP supports authentication using cryptographic keys, as opposed to a username and password. SFTP keys, when added in Files.com, provide access via SFTP only, and do not confer any access via APIs, SDKs, or the web.

We recommend generating SFTP Keys using the Files.com web interface, but we have also compiled tutorials for how to do this directly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Web Interface

Both users and administrators can generate SSH Key pairs within the Files.com web interface.

Users can generate their own SSH keys by logging in with their username and password, selecting their username at the top right of the page, selecting My account > SFTP keys > Add SFTP key, selecting the Generate in browser option, then selecting Generate key pair.

Site administrators can generate an SSH key for a user account. Type "SFTP/SSH Keys" in the search box at the top of every page and then click the matching result. Click Add SFTP key, and and select the Generate in browser option, then selecting Generate key pair.

You will only have one chance to copy or download the private key. Do not dismiss the private key information until you have copied or saved it to a secure location.

Windows

This guide requires you to use the PUTTYgen (free) open-source application. PUTTYgen is a standalone application that does not require you to install it. You can download a copy of this utility from the downloads page at the maintainer's website.

Generating compatible keys with PUTTYgen

Open the PUTTYgen application by double clicking on it.

Choose ED25519 for the Type of key to generate.

Click the Generate button.

Move your mouse around until the progress bar is full.

You now will have a generated public and private key.

Save the private and public key files to a location that only you can access and that you will not lose.

Right click in the text field labeled Public key for pasting into OpenSSH authorized_keys file and choose Select All.

MacOS

MacOS includes the necessary software to generate a key pair. Simply click the magnifying glass in the top right hand of your screen, type in Terminal and hit enter to open the application.

Create the new ED25519 Key

ssh-keygen -t ed25519

When prompted specify the path you want to save the key files in.

Enter file in which to save the key (/home/user/.ssh/id_ed25519):

If you wish to enter a passphrase for the private key you can enter it when prompted. A passphrase is not required for the private key though. If you do enter a passphrase you will have to type it in each time you use the private key.

Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):

Now that your key is generated you will want to copy it to your clipboard so that you can add it to your SFTP Keys.

pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Linux

Linux includes the necessary software to generate a key pair. Simply open your bash shell and type the following commands.

Create the new ED25519 Key.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519