For more information on these concepts, refer to later sections of this guide. During creation, you can specify the algorithm used, length in bits, and other features of your key. With the ssh-keygen command you can perform all the functions necessary to generate an SSH key that’s complete and ready to use. How to Generate an SSH Key Using SSH-Keygen Access credentials have become an important part of online security, and macOS and the Terminal app make generating an SSH Key simple.

Secure Shell (SSH) is an encryption protocol that allows you to send data securely by pairing a public key with a private match.Ī variety of situations, including remotely accessing a server or adding security to a Git hosting platform, could require you to generate your own key.

Tight online security has become mandatory for many of us, and, as malicious operators get smarter, tools and protections must get stronger to keep up.