How to Set Up SSH Access
Last Updated: March 2026
2 min read
How to Set Up SSH Access
SSH (Secure Shell) provides encrypted command-line access to your hosting server, allowing you to manage files, run scripts, and perform advanced administration tasks securely.
Prerequisites
- SSH access must be enabled on your hosting plan (available on most shared, VPS, and dedicated plans)
- An SSH client (Terminal on macOS/Linux, PuTTY or Windows Terminal on Windows)
- Your hosting credentials (hostname, username, password or SSH key)
Enabling SSH Access in cPanel
- Log into cPanel.
- Navigate to Security > SSH Access (or Terminal on newer cPanel versions).
- If SSH is not enabled, contact 10Corp support to enable it for your account.
Connecting via SSH
On macOS/Linux (Terminal):
ssh username@yourdomain.com -p 22
On Windows (PuTTY):
- Download and open PuTTY.
- Enter your hostname (domain or server IP) and port (typically 22).
- Click Open.
- Enter your username and password when prompted.
On Windows (Windows Terminal/PowerShell):
ssh username@yourdomain.com -p 22
Setting Up SSH Keys (Recommended)
SSH keys provide more secure, password-less authentication.
Generate a key pair:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"
Upload the public key to cPanel:
- Go to Security > SSH Access in cPanel.
- Click Manage SSH Keys > Import Key.
- Paste your public key content.
- Click Import.
- Go back and click Manage next to the key, then Authorize it.
Connect using the key:
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa username@yourdomain.com
Common SSH Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
ls -la | List all files with details |
cd public_html | Navigate to the web root |
pwd | Show current directory |
cp file1 file2 | Copy a file |
mv file1 file2 | Move or rename a file |
rm filename | Delete a file |
tar -czf backup.tar.gz folder/ | Create a compressed archive |
tar -xzf backup.tar.gz | Extract an archive |
mysql -u user -p dbname | Connect to MySQL |
php -v | Check PHP version |
Security Best Practices
- Use SSH keys instead of passwords whenever possible.
- Change the default SSH port if your plan allows it.
- Disable root login on VPS/dedicated servers.
- Keep your SSH client updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Never share your private key with anyone.
Troubleshooting
- Connection refused: SSH may not be enabled on your account. Contact 10Corp support.
- Permission denied: Verify your username, password, or ensure your SSH key is authorized.
- Connection timeout: Check that you’re using the correct port and hostname.
For SSH-related help, contact 10Corp support.
Tags:
hosting
ssh
terminal
command-line
security