Shell Access (SSH)
Shell Access (SSH) allows you to securely transfer files over the internet. It also allows remote internet logins.
Secure Shell is a program which lets you log into a server securely over a network. It is secure because it provides very strong authentication and turns an insecure channel into a secure communication. When you use Shell Access all of your commands, logins and text are encrypted so that no person or computer can read or easily decrypt the content.
In cPanel and some other web host control panels you can create new SSH keys easily. Managing your keys here will allow automation when you login via Secure Shell or shell access SSH. Public key authentication is one method and is a good alterative to password protection. The other end must hold the corresponding private key to authenticate the connection therefore it is near impossible to hack with brute force. CPanel shell access allows you to generate new keys, import existing keys, manage keys and delete keys.
Shell Access in cPanel
To generate a new key in cPanel go to Secure Shell then click Generate a New Key. You will need to set a Key Name, Key Password (optional), key type (DSA or RSA which are both encryption algorithms that are used to encrypt the key. DSA is faster for signing and verification and RSA is quicker for verification) and also key size (1024, 2048 or 4096). After doing this, click Generate Key. A successful key generation will show a message that key generation is complete.
Then click the Go Back button to see a table containing your public keys. This shows the key name as chosen when you created the key, the authorization status and possible actions (delete, view, download, and manage authorization). There is also a Private Keys table on the same page.
Public and private keys work like a puzzle in that they are pieces which fit together within the login and authentication process. Only that particular private key will fit with the public key so it is very secure. Only when the keys match are you able to login to the location on the server that has been secured.
SSH is commonly used for remote shell login and file copying as it greatly reduces security threats such as impersonation of a host interception of communications between systems. If you have secure data that you wish to keep private then using SSH or shell access will provide all the security you need.