SSH key login for BandwagonHost VPS

SSH keys are safer and more convenient than repeated password login. Configure key login first, verify it works, and only then consider disabling password login.

Create a key pair locally

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "bwg-vps"

Install the public key on the VPS

ssh-copy-id root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

If ssh-copy-id is not available, paste the public key into ~/.ssh/authorized_keys manually and make sure file permissions are correct.

mkdir -p ~/.ssh
chmod 700 ~/.ssh
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Test before changing SSH settings

Open a new terminal and test key login while keeping the existing session open. This gives you a recovery path if you make a configuration mistake.

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Optional hardening

After key login is confirmed, you can consider disabling password login in sshd_config and restarting sshd. Keep emergency console access in mind.