🔌 How to connect to your VPS via SSH#
Learn how to connect to your VPS via SSH to administer your server from the command line. This guide covers all operating systems and best practices.
🎯 Objective#
- Establish a secure SSH connection
- Configure tools according to your OS
- Solve common connection problems
- Adopt security best practices
🧰 Prerequisites#
- Server IP address (provided by LibraHost)
- Login credentials (user
root
+ password) - Terminal or SSH client
1️⃣ Connection information#
After your VPS activation, you will receive by email all connection information:
- IP Address:
163.5.xxx.xxx
- User:
root
(by default) - Password: temporary password provided
- SSH Port:
22
(standard)
💡 Important: Change the password during your first connection!
2️⃣ Connection by operating system#
🐧 Linux / macOS (Built-in Terminal)#
Open a terminal and type:
Replace 163.5.xxx.xxx
with your VPS IP.
First connection: Accept the server fingerprint by typing yes
.
🪟 Windows#
Option 1: PowerShell / CMD (Windows 10+)#
Windows 10/11 includes a native SSH client:
Option 2: PuTTY (graphical client)#
- Download PuTTY: PuTTY
- Launch PuTTY
- Configure the connection:
- Host Name:
163.5.xxx.xxx
- Port:
22
- Connection type:
SSH
- Host Name:
- Click "Open"
- Enter your credentials when prompted
3️⃣ First connection - Important steps#
🔹 Accept server fingerprint#
The authenticity of host '163.5.xxx.xxx' can't be established. ECDSA key fingerprint is SHA256:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? yes
Type yes
to continue.
🔹 Change root password#
passwd
Choose a strong and unique password.
🔹 Update the system#
apt update && apt upgrade -y
4️⃣ Common problems and solutions#
🔹 "Host key verification failed"#
Cause: The server fingerprint has changed
Solution:
ssh-keygen -R 163.5.xxx.xxx
5️⃣ Recommended SSH clients#
🖥️ Graphical applications#
Windows:
macOS:
- Terminal (built-in)
- FileZilla (for SFTP)
Linux:
- Terminal (built-in)
- FileZilla (for SFTP)
📱 Mobile applications#
- Termius (iOS/Android)
✅ Conclusion#
You now know how to connect via SSH to your VPS! This secure connection allows you to administer your server, install applications and configure your services.
Next steps: