How to SSH linux Server Using PuTTY

Step 1: Download and Open PuTTY

If you don’t have PuTTY installed, you can download PuTTY here. PuTTY is a free and popular SSH client for Windows, making it easy to connect to Linux servers.

Once downloaded, double-click putty.exe to launch it.

Step 2: Enter Server IP and SSH Port

In the PuTTY window:

• Host Name (or IP address): Enter the IP address of your Linux server.
• Port: Enter the SSH port number. The default is 22, but your server may use a custom port for security.
• Connection Type: Select SSH.
  
  Click Open to start the connection.

Step 3: Accept Security Warning

When connecting to the server for the first time, PuTTY will display a security alert asking if you trust the server. Click Yes to continue.

Step 4: Log in with Username and Password

In the terminal window that appears:

• For Ubuntu servers: Use administrator as the default username.
• For CentOS servers: Use root as the default username.
  
  Type your password and press Enter. (Note: The password will not be visible while typing for security reasons.)

Step 5: Start Managing Your Linux Server

Once logged in, you’ll have full access to your Linux command line via SSH. You can now run Linux commands, upload/download files, and manage your server remotely.

Notes for Beginners

• SSH Ubuntu Server: Use administrator or a created user.
• SSH Linux Command Line: Commands are case-sensitive.
• SSH Port 22: If your server uses a different port, replace 22 with the correct number in PuTTY.
• For better security, you can change your SSH port later — see our Change SSH Port Tutorial.