How to Connect to Your Server via SSH on Linux or Mac

You can log in to your Linux Server using SSH from your Linux or Mac OS using the terminal application. This article will guide you through the necessary steps.

For Mac and Linux users, your basic Terminal application supports SSH by default. For Windows users, you will need to use another application. We recommend PuTTY. For instructions and a download link, click this linked guide to learn How to SSH to the Linux Server from Your PC.

Once you have opened your SSH client, enter the following command. Remember to replace the domain name with yours, or with the IP address of the server, you are connecting to. If you are connecting as a non-root user, enter the username you are using before the @ symbol.

ssh root@example.com

OR (to use the IP address)

ssh root@70.32.86.175

OR (to sign in as a non-root user)

ssh username@example.com

If you have not used SSH to connect to your server from this computer, you will see the following message:

The authenticity of host 'example.com (12.33.45.678)' can't be established.
RSA key fingerprint is 3c:f5:bf:51:8d:97:7a:26:27:73:2d:d9:02:f2:f2:83:77
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?

You need to accept the connection by typing “yes” and pressing the Enter key.

You will then be prompted for a password. When you type, the cursor in the terminal will not move, nor will you see any characters being entered, even in the form of asterisks (**********). This is for security. Type in your password and press the Enter key.

You will be connected to your server with SSH. You can now view the common SSH commands available in our linked guide, so you enter commands and control it remotely. If you need any further assistance in connecting your server via SSH, you can contact us, we’d be glad to help!