how to load ssh key into putty

Secure Shell (SSH) keys are used in the encryption and decryption of data exchanged over a network. These keys are essential because they prevent the transmission of data in plain text, making it difficult for hackers to intercept and decipher the content. In this article, we will discuss how to load SSH keys into Putty, which is a popular SSH client on Windows operating systems.

Step 1: Launch Puttygen

The first step in loading an SSH key into Putty is to launch Puttygen, which is a key generator tool that comes bundled with Putty. To do this, go to \"Start\" and search for \"Puttygen.\"

Step 2: Generate a new key or load an existing one

In Puttygen, you have two options: to generate a new key or load an existing one. If you choose to generate a new key, select the \"RSA\" key type and set the number of bits to 2048. If you choose to load an existing key, click the \"Load\" button and navigate to the location of the key file on your computer.

Step 3: Save the public and private keys

After generating or loading the key, you need to save the public and private keys. Click on the \"Save public key\" and \"Save private key\" buttons, and choose a location to save these files. Ensure that the private key is protected with a passphrase.

Step 4: Launch Putty

Next, launch Putty and navigate to the \"Session\" category. Enter the hostname or IP address of the server you want to connect to and give the session a name, then click \"Open.\"

Step 5: Load the private key into Putty

Once the session is open, navigate to \"Connection\" > \"SSH\" > \"Auth\" category. Click the \"Browse\" button and navigate to the location where you saved the private key in Step 3. Select the private key and click \"Open\" to load it into Putty.

Step 6: Connect to the server

Now that the private key is loaded, you can click \"Open\" to establish a connection to the remote server. When prompted for a username and password, enter the credentials as usual. If the private key was loaded successfully, you should not be prompted for a password.

Conclusion

In conclusion, loading an SSH key into Putty is a straightforward process that involves generating or loading a key using Puttygen, saving the public and private keys, and loading the private key into Putty. SSH keys are essential in securing network communication, and loading them into Putty ensures a secure connection between the client and the server.