Port 22 is the default port for SSH (Secure Shell), a network protocol used to establish secure, encrypted connections between two computers over an untrusted network. It allows users to remotely access and manage servers, devices, and systems securely.
Key Functions of Port 22:
-
Remote Administration:
- Used by system administrators to log in to remote servers securely.
- Provides a command-line interface for server management.
-
File Transfers (SCP & SFTP):
- Supports SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) for encrypted file transfers.
-
Tunneling & Port Forwarding:
- Can be used to create encrypted tunnels for other protocols.
- Example: Forwarding RDP traffic over SSH for added security.
Security Risks Associated with Port 22:
- Brute-force attacks:
- Hackers often target Port 22 with automated tools to guess login credentials.
- Port scanning:
- Attackers scan for open SSH ports to exploit.
- Exploitation of weak keys or configurations:
- Using outdated or weak encryption keys can be a vulnerability.
Best Practices for Securing Port 22:
Change the default port:
- Move SSH to a non-standard port (e.g., 22022, 2222) to reduce automated attacks.
Use Public Key Authentication:
- Replace password authentication with SSH key pairs for stronger security.
Limit access with firewalls:
- Use IP whitelisting to restrict SSH access to trusted IPs only.
Enable IP blocking:
- Block IPs with multiple failed login attempts automatically.
Use MFA for SSH:
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added protection.
Disable root login:
- Prevent direct root access by setting PermitRootLogin no in the SSH configuration.
Common Commands for Port 22 (SSH)
- SSH into a server: ssh username@192.168.1.10
- Transfer files with SCP: scp file.txt user@192.168.1.10:/path/to/destination
- Use SSH tunneling: ssh -L 8080:localhost:80 user@remote-server
Get more technical details about Port 22 from SpeedGuide.
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