How to Change SSH Passwords From the CLI [Simple Guide] | Nexcess (2024)

Notice anything different?

We've enhanced the appearance of our portal and we're working on updating screenshots. Things might look different, but the functionality remains the same.

Read this article to learn how to change SSH passwords for your server from the CLI, provided you have SSH access.

But first...

If you are a Nexcess client on a physical (non-cloud) server, you may alternatively use SiteWorx to change your SSH password.

This method requires SSH access. Nexcess clients on physical (non-cloud) servers must first enable SSH access and adjust their firewall settings in SiteWorx; Cloud accounts have SSH enabled by default.

Method

1. If you have not done so already, enable SSH. See How to enable SSH access for details.

2. Log in to your server with SSH.

3. Enter the command:passwd

4. Type your password, then press Enter.

5. When prompted for your current UNIX password, enter your SSH password, then press Enter.

6. Retype your new password and press enter. If successful, you will see the output:
passwd: all authentication tokes updated successfully

For 24-hour assistance any day of the year, contact our support teamby emailorthrough your Client Portal.

Not a Nexcess Customer Yet?

There are many reasons to choose Nexcess. Get faster speeds on Nexcess servers and with our fully managed hosting plans.

Check out our offerings or reach out to get started today.

How to Change SSH Passwords From the CLI [Simple Guide] | Nexcess (2024)

FAQs

How to Change SSH Passwords From the CLI [Simple Guide] | Nexcess? ›

In the Websites section, click on Manage next to the site in question. Search for SSH Access on the sidebar and click on it: Click on Change next to Password: You will be prompted to generate a new password containing numbers, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase letters.

How do I change the password in SSH? ›

In the Websites section, click on Manage next to the site in question. Search for SSH Access on the sidebar and click on it: Click on Change next to Password: You will be prompted to generate a new password containing numbers, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase letters.

How to change password in SSH putty? ›

How to Change the Password in Putty:
  1. Launch Putty.
  2. Click the "SSH" radio button below the host name text box.
  3. Click the "Open" button at the bottom of the dialog box.
  4. Enter your current user name and password when prompted.
  5. Type the command "Passwd" after you've logged in.
  6. Type in your old password and press "Enter."
Jul 20, 2023

How to use SSH with password on command line? ›

How to Connect via SSH
  1. Open the command line/terminal window and run the following ssh command: ssh [username]@[host_ip_address] ...
  2. When connecting to the server for the first time, a message appears asking to confirm the connection. ...
  3. Provide the password when prompted and press Enter.
Nov 23, 2023

How to change username in SSH? ›

Using the SSH Client Config File

Moreover, we can leverage the SSH client config file to use a given default username in SSH for a specific host. The SSH client config file is usually at ~/. ssh/config. However, we can use the system-wide configuration file /etc/ssh/ssh_config to apply settings to all users.

How to reset ssh key password? ›

The passphrase chosen at account request time is specific to the private key file, not your user account! If you have forgotten this passphrase, there is no way to reset it, and you will have to generate a new SSH key pair. and follow the instructions to generate your new SSH key pair.

How to change user password using command? ›

Things You Should Know
  1. To change a password in the Command Prompt, type "net user [username] [new password] and press "Enter."
  2. For a more discreet option, you can type "net user [username} *" and press "Enter." Then enter the new password twice.
Feb 11, 2024

How to edit code in SSH? ›

Using 'vim' to create and edit a file
  1. Log into your server via SSH.
  2. Navigate to the directory location you wish to create the file in or edit an existing file.
  3. Type in vim followed by the name of the file. ...
  4. Press the letter i on your keyboard to enter INSERT mode in vim. ...
  5. Start typing into the file.
Mar 12, 2024

How to change password in Linux? ›

Here's how you can do it:
  1. Open the Terminal window.
  2. Type the su - or sudo -i command and tap Enter.
  3. Now as a root user, type the passwd command followed by a username for which you wish to prompt a password change: passwd username.
  4. Now enter the new password for the user and confirm it by retyping to it once more.
Aug 16, 2023

How to use SSH from command line? ›

You can start an SSH session in your command prompt by executing ssh user@machine and you will be prompted to enter your password. You can create a Windows Terminal profile that does this on startup by adding the commandline setting to a profile in your settings.json file inside the list of profile objects.

How to setup SSH with password? ›

Configure password-based SSH authentication
  1. Log in to the server console as the bitnami user.
  2. Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config and modify or add the following line: PasswordAuthentication yes.
  3. Restart the SSH server for the new configuration to take effect: sudo /etc/init.d/ssh force-reload sudo /etc/init.d/ssh restart.
Oct 10, 2022

How to find the SSH password? ›

Platform navigation. In Finder, search for the Keychain Access app. In Keychain Access, search for SSH. In the lower-left corner, select Show password.

How do I change my SSH password? ›

Method
  1. If you have not done so already, enable SSH. See How to enable SSH access for details.
  2. Log in to your server with SSH.
  3. Enter the command:passwd.
  4. Type your password, then press Enter.
  5. When prompted for your current UNIX password, enter your SSH password, then press Enter.
  6. Retype your new password and press enter.

How to SSH with user name and password? ›

Connect
  1. Open a Command prompt window on your technician PC.
  2. Connect to the device: To connect using a username and password: Windows Command Prompt Copy. ssh user@192. 168. ...
  3. Enter the password for your user if you're connecting with a username and password, or if you configured your key to require a password.
Jun 24, 2021

How do I change my CLI username? ›

Use the usermod command to modify user details. For example: sudo usermod -l newusername oldusername to change the username. The -l flag specifies the new username.

How to set SSH password authentication? ›

Configure password-based SSH authentication
  1. Log in to the server console as the bitnami user.
  2. Edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config and modify or add the following line: PasswordAuthentication yes.
  3. Restart the SSH server for the new configuration to take effect: sudo /etc/init.d/ssh force-reload sudo /etc/init.d/ssh restart.
Oct 10, 2022

How do I find my SSH password? ›

Check the SSH configuration files: Open your SSH configuration files located in the /etc/ssh directory. You might find your forgotten password there. Reset your SSH password with a new one: You can create a new SSH password or generate an SSH key pair with RSA key authentication instead.

How to change root password in SSH? ›

Please follow these steps:
  1. Log in to SSH on your VPS.
  2. Once connected issue the following command: passwd root.
  3. This will bring up a new line where you enter your new password, press enter.
  4. Now re-enter the same password, press enter.

How do I remove a password from SSH? ›

Disable Password Authentication
  1. vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config. Look for the line PasswordAuthentication yes and replace yes with no.
  2. PasswordAuthentication no. Press ESC key and save the changes to the file and exit the editor by typing: wq! and then hit Enter. ...
  3. service sshd restart.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 6386

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.