How to Install or Update OpenSSH Server on Debian Linux

OpenSSH is the most popular ssh server for Linux-based systems. It is used to connect the server securely from remote systems having ssh clients. this article will help you to install the OpenSSH server on Debian Linux systems.

Step 1 – Install/Update OpenSSH Server

The latest OpenSSH Debian packages are available under default Apt repositories for the Debian systems. You can simply update Apt-cache and install the OpenSSH server using the following commands. If OpenSSH already installed, it will be updated to the latest version.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install openssh-server

Step 2 – Configure OpenSSH (optional)

OpenSSH main configuration file is /etc/ssh/sshd_config. After successful installing OpenSSH server on your system, you may need to make few changes to secure your server.

• Change Default Port – OpenSSH runs on default port 22. We recommend to change SSH port with other port.

  Port 2222
  

• Disable Root Login – By default root user are allowed to ssh from remote clients, For security purpose we recommend to disable direct root access. Use any non root account for ssh and then switch ( su – ) to root account. To do this add “PermitRootLogin no” in ssh configuration file

  PermitRootLogin no
  

For more details visit https://tecadmin.net/5-tips-to-secure-openssh-server/

Step 3 – Manage OpenSSH Service

After making all necessary changes restart the OpenSSH server using the following command

sudo service ssh restart
sudo service ssh stop
sudo service ssh stop