SSH keys & authentication
Generate, protect, enrol and retire SSH keys without exposing private credentials or losing verified access.
How do I generate an SSH key on Windows?
Generate a new Ed25519 SSH key in your Windows profile, protect it with a passphrase, and identify the public key to enrol on a server.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationWhich SSH key file can I share with the server administrator?
Distinguish SSH public and private keys, locate the .pub file safely, and share the public key without exposing access credentials.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I compare SSH key fingerprints without exposing private keys?
Compare public-key fingerprints on Windows and Linux, identify the correct enrolled key, and avoid treating comments as identity proof.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I add my Windows public key to an existing Linux account?
Enrol one Windows public key on an authorised Linux account, preserve existing access entries, and verify a second key-based session.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationWhat permissions should my Linux SSH key files have?
Inspect Linux home and authorised-key permissions, apply narrow owner-only settings where appropriate, and diagnose SSH StrictModes rejection.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I inspect and tighten a private SSH key’s Windows permissions?
Inspect a Windows private key ACL and remove inherited exposure on the exact file, while preserving the intended owner’s access.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I use the Windows SSH agent for a passphrase-protected key?
Load a protected key into the Windows SSH agent, inspect its public fingerprint, and understand the scope of the local agent service.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I stop SSH offering the wrong keys?
Limit SSH identity selection for one server, inspect loaded agent fingerprints, and avoid removing unrelated keys needed by other sessions.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I replace an SSH key without losing access?
Rotate a server SSH key by enrolling and testing the replacement first, then revoke the old public key only after access is verified.
Read the answer SSH keys & authenticationHow do I revoke a lost or exposed SSH private key?
Revoke an exposed SSH identity on every affected account, verify replacement access, and understand why deleting the local file is insufficient.
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