Secure shell protocol has become essential in today’s digital landscape as organizations and individuals increasingly prioritize secure remote access and data protection. Originally developed to replace insecure protocols such as Telnet and file transfer protocol, SSH provides encrypted communication, strong authentication, and data integrity across unsecured networks. As cybersecurity threats evolve, the adoption of SSH continues to grow, forming a critical foundation for secure IT infrastructure and remote operations. In this guide, we will discuss the purpose of SSH, its applications, and how you benefit from it.

What is a secure shell?

Secure shell (SSH) protocol is a cryptographic network protocol – a set of rules and procedures using algorithms – that provides a secure way to access and manage network services over an unsecured network. SSH encrypts communication between two systems, protecting sensitive data from being intercepted or tampered with.

SSH serves multiple purposes, all aimed at securing communication and operations between devices. Its primary functions include:

  • Remote login and access: Allows users to securely access and control remote systems
  • Command execution: Enables the execution of commands on remote machines
  • File transfers: Facilitates secure file uploads and downloads using protocols like Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) for fast transfers and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) with additional features and more complex workflows
  • Tunneling and port forwarding: Secures data traffic by creating encrypted tunnels

These features make secure shells indispensable for managing servers, troubleshooting, and automating tasks.

→Related: Access Token Theft and Manipulation Attacks – A Door to Local Privilege Escalation

SSH and Telnet

Telnet, short for teletype network, is a network protocol that provides a remote, bidirectional, interactive text-oriented communication through the internet or other networks.

While both SSH and Telnet provide remote access to systems, they differ significantly in terms of security:

  • Encryption: SSH encrypts all communication, while Telnet transmits data in plain text.
  • Authentication: SSH supports robust authentication methods, whereas Telnet relies on basic password authentication.
  • Use cases: Telnet is outdated and rarely used due to its lack of security, whereas SSH is the current industry standard for secure remote access.

For modern environments, SSH is the preferred choice for remote access and network management due to its advanced security features such as encrypted communication, robust authentication, and extensive functionality.

Secure shell and VPN

Although they both involve creating encrypted tunnels for data transmission, a secure shell differs from a virtual private network (VPN) in that an SSH encrypts files and other forms of data to ensure they are safely transferred between your device and a remote server. SSH typically works between applications to secure data.

While VPNs also use encryption technology, it works by creating a secure tunnel through which your entire internet traffic will pass between your device and a remote server, providing a higher level of privacy and security compared to SSH. VPNs are often used for general internet browsing, bypassing geo-restrictions, and securing data on public wi-fi networks.

Imagine the SSH as a secure door to a specific room, while a VPN is a secure tunnel for all traffic entering and leaving your entire house.

How you benefit from secure shell

While a secure shell is primarily a tool used by IT professionals, developers, and system administrators, everyday consumers still benefit from it—often without even realizing it. SSH quietly powers many of the secure services that you have come to rely on, and for tech-interested users, it provides a reliable way to manage and protect their own devices. Whether directly or indirectly, SSH helps keep consumer data safer in an increasingly connected world. Here’s how:

Stronger security in the services you use

Many online services such as cloud storage, web hosting, and email servers use a secure shell to protect their backend operations. This helps protect your data from hackers, ensuring that your files, communications, and personal info are handled safely behind the scenes.

Secure remote access for your home tech

Tech-savvy consumers use secure shell protocols to remotely control personal devices such as Raspberry Pi, home servers, or network-attached storage systems. SSH allows encrypted, password-protected access, reducing the risk of unauthorized control.

Safer file transfers

Secure shell protocol enables Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), a secure alternative to the traditional FTP. If you ever upload or download files to or from a website or server, SSH ensures the data is encrypted during the transmission.

More secure smart home and IoT setups

If you use smart or Internet of Things home systems or routers, it is better to manage and log into these devices using secure shell protocol, rather than relying on less secure web interfaces.

Protection from eavesdropping and hijacking

Secure shell protocol prevents attackers from “listening in” on your remote commands or file transfers. This is crucial when you are connected to public wi-fi or remote services.

Encourages better cyber hygiene

Even just knowing about SSH can push consumers to use encryption over plaintext protocols, avoid insecure login methods such as the outdated Telnet or basic FTP, and appreciate the value of secure access.

Secure shell in cloud computing

In cloud computing environments, the secure shell protocol is often the primary method to safely access virtual machines and cloud-based servers. If you operate a home-based or small business using AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, using a secure shell to perform updates or manage resources using encrypted communication would be a great idea.

Encrypted chat applications

Although less common, some chat applications utilize the secure shell protocol to ensure privacy in a communication channel, making them suitable for sensitive discussions, such as in legal or financial industries.

→Related: How Private Is WhatsApp Really? Staying Safer While Using the App.

Accessing Git repositories

Developers often use secure shell keys to authenticate with Git repositories hosted on platforms such as GitHub or GitLab. If you are a developer working remotely, you will enjoy encrypted communication with the repository, preventing unauthorized access to your code.

Remote desktop access

A secure shell can also facilitate remote desktop access in a more secure way. Tools such as X11 forwarding — a networking and display protocol — over a secure shell allow users to run graphical applications from a remote server. A graphic designer might use this method to access design tools hosted on a high-performance remote workstation.

Port forwarding and tunneling

Port forwarding or tunneling is a method of securely transmitting data through an encrypted secure shell connection. This method bypasses firewalls and accesses services that are restricted to internal networks. For instance, an employee working remotely can use tunneling to securely access their internal company database or intranet.

→Related: How to Stay Safe While Working from Home

Your role in complying with secure shell practices

A secure shell protocol is highly protected by design, but it is only as safe as it is used and managed. If you work with SSH for your personal devices, web servers, or remote access, you play a direct role in keeping its environment secure. These basic steps include using strong authentication, managing keys responsibly, keeping your systems updated, and following good cyber hygiene. Here’s a more detailed list of secure shell-related best practices:

Use strong authentication methods

If possible, use secure shell key-based authentication over simple passwords. SSH keys are far more secure and harder to brute-force. If passwords are used, make sure they are long, complex, and unique.

Protect private keys

Never share your private secure shell key. Store keys securely, ideally in encrypted form or using a password-protected key file. Avoid leaving keys on shared or public machines. Regularly audit and remove old or unused keys from the authorized_keys file. This helps prevent access from former users or forgotten devices.

Set correct permissions

Secure shell won’t even work if key files have incorrect permissions (e.g., ~/.ssh folder or authorized_keys file). Limit access to only necessary users, and use strict file permissions. Applying a Zero Trust policy with SSH enhances security by allowing only the least privilege access and continuous verification to ensure only authorized users can access systems.

→Related: What Is the Principle of Least Privilege and How Does It Enhance Security?

Update regularly

Keep your operating system, secure shell server, and client software up-to-date. Between the major updates, remember to deploy patches as these fix vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.

Use firewalls, IP restrictions, and VPN

Restrict secure shell access to known IP addresses or use a firewall to control access. For even greater security, consider using fail2ban or port knocking. If you cannot avoid using a secure shell in public wi-fi, a virtual private network adds a layer of encryption and protection.

Final thoughts

Secure shell protocol remains one of the cornerstones of secure network communication. Its encryption, versatility, and wide adoption make it invaluable for IT professionals and businesses. As a consumer who benefits from this protocol, you play an important role in maximizing security across your entire digital ecosystem by pairing the secure shell protocol with robust cybersecurity tools. Solutions such as McAfee+ and McAfee Total Protection complement it by providing comprehensive protection against online threats such as malware, phishing, and ransomware.