What is SSH?

SSH stands for Secure Shell. It provides a way for a user to interact with another computer over a network. SSH is a replacement for the telnet service still in use by many ISP's.

Why not just use telnet?

Telnet does not provide secure communication over a network. Using telnet it is relativley simple for another party to listen to your communication and intercept any data, including password, sent over the connection.

Why use SSH?

SSH provides secure communication and strong authentication over insecure networks. It protects both the client and server from several types of attacks.

Where do I get SSH from my computer?

• Windows Users:
  • PuTTY is available from: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/
  • WinCRT is available from: http://www.vandyke.com/products/crt/
• Macintosh OS9 Users:
  • MacSSH is available from: http://www.macssh.com/
• Macintosh OSX Users:
  
  • See UNIX Users.
• UNIX Users:
  
  • SSH may already be on your system, if it is you should be able to access it by simply typing ssh from the command prompt. If SSH is not on your system you should visit www.openssh.org for information on obtaining it for your computer.

Do I need SSH to access my Bitstream Networks shell account?

Yes. Bitstream Networks is dedicated to providing you a secure, reliable services as part of that effort we only allow shell access via ssh.