Disable password access through SSH?

Question

I'm setting up a server for backing up my desktop box remotely. I want to prevent remote password access to the server, permitting only users with private keys (AKA my desktop box) to access it. How can I block remote password access while allowing physical password access to the server?

Answer 1

Just insert the following to the sshd config on the server (/etc/ssh/sshd_config)

PasswordAuthentication no

That should do the trick ;)

For more options type man sshd_config in to your terminal.

Answer 2

Just a note about SSH access to servers - you may also want to disable the root user from ssh - http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/linux/security-tip-disable-root-ssh-login-on-linux/ - this way at least hackers will have to guess the username as well.

PermitRootLogin no