ssh connections

[schamarthi1]

I am connecting through a ssh/sftp connection to a server from a win7 PC through bitwise tunneller software.

I would like to know how safe is this connection , any software that are better than this one.

any guidance to set the safety of data through this type of connection

[hans51]

every system is as weak as its weakest component
your entire connection is as secure as your WIN7 PC
including zero-day virus/malware
since 13 yrs i use strictly linux on both ends (my servers and my mobile workstation) and WIN OS only for dual boot without ANY server access nor email access at all.

[sjc06007]

I used SSH (from Linux to Linux) all last semester and it was awesome, fast, and secure. I would say you don't really need different software but if security is a concern I would worry more about how you are authenticating to the remote server. I set up public key authentication for my server off-line and created a lovely icon on my panel. I literally click the terminal button and I am presented with a lovely prompt. I can provide some rough instructions of what I did if you like too..

Definitely check out how to set up public-key authenticate, definitely worth it!

[schamarthi1]

thanks @sjs06007! can U please help me out in this regard!!

[sjc06007]

Again, this is Linux to Linux and I have not tested any of this on a Windows host because... well.. you know

To automate SSH access you can add a new application to your GNOME panel:

gnome-terminal -e "ssh -v <username>@<host>"

To set this up without passwords you can do the following:

(local)  ssh-keygen -t rsa
(remote) mkdir ~/.ssh
(local)  cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub | ssh <user>@<host> 'cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys'

Then, create identities for your keys so you don't have to type in your passwords every time:

(local) exec ssh-agent $SHELL
(local) ssh-add

Of course, for other options and settings check out the man pages for the instructions above. Maybe something might be more appropriate for your needs.

[sjc06007]

I use Ubuntu on my computers and I recall referencing the following site:

help.ubuntu.com/community/SSH/OpenSSH/Keys

This explains more of what is going on behind the scenes.