SSH-Keygen is a tool used to generate, manage, and convert authentication keys for secure login to remote machines. The tool is included in most Linux and Unix-based systems and is commonly used to generate public and private key pairs for authentication purposes.
The Importance of Public Key Authentication
Public key authentication provides a more secure way of logging in to a remote machine than password-based authentication. This is because public key authentication uses a private key that is kept on the local machine and a public key that is shared with the remote machine. The private key is never shared, and the public key is used to verify the identity of the user trying to log in.
One important takeaway from this text is the usefulness of SSH-Keygen in generating public and private key pairs for secure login to remote machines. Public key authentication is emphasized as a more secure alternative to password-based authentication, as the private key is never shared. Additionally, PEM format is explained as a widely used and easily editable file format for cryptographic keys and certificates, although it has the vulnerability of being unencrypted and readable by anyone with access to the file. The text also provides clear steps on how to convert a public key generated by SSH-Keygen to PEM format using the OpenSSL command-line tool.
Understanding PEM Format
PEM is a file format used to store cryptographic keys and certificates. PEM stands for Privacy Enhanced Mail, which was the original use case for the format. PEM files are base64-encoded ASCII files that contain a header, a footer, and the contents of the file, which can be a private key, a public key, or a certificate.
One key takeaway from this text is that public key authentication is more secure than password-based authentication, because it uses a private key kept on the local machine and a public key shared with the remote machine. Additionally, converting a public key generated by SSH-Keygen to PEM format can be done using the OpenSSL command-line tool. PEM files are easy to read and edit, but they are vulnerable to theft or misuse as they are not encrypted.
Advantages of PEM Format
PEM format is widely used and supported by many applications and systems. PEM files are easy to read and edit, making them a popular choice for storing and sharing cryptographic keys and certificates.
Disadvantages of PEM Format
PEM files are not encrypted and can be read by anyone with access to the file. This means that if a private key is stored in a PEM file, it is vulnerable to theft or misuse.
Converting a Public Key to PEM Format
To convert a public key generated by SSH-Keygen to PEM format, we will use the OpenSSL command-line tool. The following steps will guide you through the process:
Open a terminal on your local machine and navigate to the directory where your public key is stored.
Enter the following command to convert the public key to PEM format:
In this command, replace “id_rsa.pub” with the name of your public key file.
The command will create a new file called “id_rsa.pub.pem” in the same directory as your public key file. This file contains your public key in PEM format.
Explanation of the Command
The command “openssl rsa” is used to manipulate RSA keys. The “-in” option specifies the input file, which in this case is the public key file. The “-pubin” option tells OpenSSL that the input file is a public key. The “-outform pem” option specifies the output format as PEM. The “> id_rsa.pub.pem” redirects the output of the command to a new file called “id_rsa.pub.pem”.
FAQs for ssh-keygen convert public key to pem
What is an ssh-keygen?
The ssh-keygen is a command line utility used for generating, managing, and converting SSH keys. It is mainly used for secure communication and access to remote systems.
What is a public key?
A public key is the openly available component of an asymmetric key pair generated by ssh-keygen. It is used for authenticating and authorizing access to a secure system, typically through the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol.
What is a pem key?
PEM stands for Privacy Enhanced Mail, which is an older method of encrypting email messages. A PEM key is a text file that contains an encoded public or private key used for authentication and encryption.
How do I convert a public key to pem using ssh-keygen?
To convert a public key to pem using ssh-keygen, you can use the following command:
This command takes the public keys from the id_rsa.pub and id_ecdsa.pub files, and saves the conversions to the PEM format in the converted_keys.pem file.