ssh sftp

[Boissé_1]

There are some methods for authentication during sftp connection :
Why and when using password authentication ?
why and when using key authentication ?

Thanks.

[Mark Nieuwboer]

Hi,

It depend if you want it more secure than using password authentication.
When your a bit lazy use key authentication.

grtz. Mark

[Boissé_1]

Is key authentication more secured ???

[Mark Nieuwboer]

no less secure.
because when there on your system the can connect to the server without nowing the password.

grtz. Mark

[Greg Vaidman]

Key authentication are generally no more or less secure than password authentication, they are merely different mechanisms. However, I'm sure you'll certainly see arguments in favor of each method from different people.

To learn more, start with the entry for authentication in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentication). It describes authentication methods as possibly being in one of three categories: things you know (passwords), things you have (keys), and things you are (biometrics such as fingerprints). Any security method that *combines* multiple categories of authentication *is* more secure than a single category. That's why banks have you use ATM cards with magnetic strips AND a PIN code.

By the way, you can choose between passwords or keys with SSH, or you can allow both - nothing wrong with that, as that is the default behaviour.