This site utilizes JavaScript to function correctly. Looks like it's disabled on your browser. Please enable it for your best experience.

For instructions on enabling JavaScript, click here

Skip to main content
Search

Just Host Web Hosting Help

How To Use SSH on Windows PuTTY - Generate Public/Private Key Pair & File

Summary

Using a Public/Private key to authenticate when logging into SSH can provide added convenience or added security. The Public/Private key can be used in place of a password so that no username/password is required to connect to the server via SSH. Instead the unique public and private key provide the secure authentication. The keys may also be generated with a different password from your cpanel password if desired.

Generate a Public/Private Key Pair

  1. In the Just Host cPanel click on the SSH/Shell Access icon under the Security category.
  2. Open the Manage SSH Keys tool.
  3. Click Generate a New Key and complete the fields shown. We recommend the RSA key type and a 4096 bit key size for maximum security.
    Note: There is bug in cPanel at this time that does not allow you to create a 2048 or 4096 bit DSA key
  4. The location of the newly generated public and private key will be shown as well as the key fingerprint.
  5. Click Go Back.
  6. Next to the Public Key you generated, click Manage Authorization then click Authorize to activate this public key.
  7. Click Go Back.
  8. To the right of the Private Key, click on View/Download. Then click the Download Key button. Save the file to your computer and click go back.
You may now use the private key saved on your computer to SSH securely to our server. If you are using PuTTY, please see the configuration steps below.

Generate a ppk file

  1. Download and open PuTTYgen from the PuTTY Download Page
  2. Click Load

    3. Load Your Private Key

  3. Locate the private SSH key that you have downloaded.
    4. Note: You will need choose to display All Files* from the menu to the right of the File Name field.
  4. Enter the password for your SSH Key

    5. Enter the Passhrase for your SSH key

  5. Click the Save private key button to create the ppk file.

    6. Save the PPk file

Configuring PuTTY

  1. In PuTTY, under Session, enter your Host Name

    2. Enter your Domain Name or IP Address

  2. Under Connection choose Data
  3. Enter your cPanel username as the Auto-login username

    4. Enter your cPanel username

  4. Under SSH, choose 2 from Preferred SSH Protocol Version
  5. Under SSH -> Auth, you will need to specify where your private key can be found. Remember this is where you saved the private key on your local computer. Click Browse to locate the file on your computer.

    6. Click Browse to locate your ppk file

  6. Under Sessions, type a name (such as "my site") in the Saved Sessions box and click Save.
Knowledgebase Article 620,738 views bookmark
share
Share or save this via:
tags: key private public putty ssh windows


Was this resource helpful?
Helpful Unhelpful


Did this resolve your issue?
Solved Unsolved


Please add any other comments or suggestions about this content:





Recommended Help Content

SSH Access - Generating a Public/Private Key
How to generate and use SSH Keys
Knowledgebase Article 273,030 views tags: dedicated ssh

What Are SSH Connections - How To Edit In PuTTY, Mac, & Linux
What is SSH and how do I setup secure connections.
Knowledgebase Article 487,103 views tags: bash connect putty shell ssh

Generate a GPG/PGP key using SSH
I would like to know how to create a new gpg key using SSH access.
Knowledgebase Article 158,511 views tags: encryption gnupg gpg openpgp

Related Help Content

CentOS 7 and cPanel Upgrades
VPS and Dedicated customers with servers running the CentOS 6 operating system will not be able to upgrade cPanel past version 86. The cPanel team will still support CentOS 6 with cPanel 86 until March 31st, 2021.
Knowledgebase Article 116,653 views tags: centos cpanel dedicated hosting private server upgrade virtual vps

Check Backup Dates Using SSH on Dedi/VPS
This article will explain how to check the dates of your backups using SSH.
Knowledgebase Article 117,952 views tags: backup dedicated ssh vps

File Manager - How to Upload Files
This article will walk you through uploading files using the File Manager
Knowledgebase Article 381,818 views tags: cpanel file upload

Using SSH to View the Mail Queue on Dedicated or VPS
This article will explain how to view the outgoing email queue or exim queue in SSH.
Knowledgebase Article 107,006 views tags: dedicated exim ssh vps

How To Create A New cPanel in WHM - cPanel Setup
How to create a new cPanel.
Knowledgebase Article 247,262 views tags: account cpanel whm

SSH Access
Is SSH/Shell access enabled by default?
Knowledgebase Article 875,618 views tags: bash command line secure shell ssh

Public IP Address and How To Find it
What is a Public IP Address?
Knowledgebase Article 299,009 views tags: ip public

File Manager - How to Create, Remove, and Edit Files
This article will walk you through creating, removing, and editing files with the file manager.
Knowledgebase Article 289,543 views tags: cpanel filemanager

*Promotional pricing is for the first term only and regular rates apply upon renewal. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee does not extend to domain names.

** Google ad credits are only available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom at this time.

¹ VAT (Value Added Tax) is not included in our advertised price and will be charged separately and itemized on invoices and billing information. Standard VAT rates based on EU Member State regulations may apply. Learn more.