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Configure SSH to Work with Google Authenticator

In this lab, we are required to configure SSH to interact with the Google Authenticator. The server is configured so that it only asks for a password. That needs to be changed after the first usage. Our job is to add this additional authentication step. First, we need to install and initialize the Google authenticator. Then, we need to configure SSH to make use of the authenticator. When everything is set up, make sure to perform a verification that the configuration is valid.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 45m
Last updated
Clock icon Jul 05, 2022

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Configure Key-Based Login

    Generate Private/Public Key Pair on the Client

    ssh-keygen
    Copy the Public Key Over to the Server
    • From client: /Path/to/your/public/key/file
    • To server: /home/cloud_user/.ssh/authorized_keys

  2. Challenge

    SSH Configuration 

    sudo vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config

    PubkeyAuthentication yes
PasswordAuthentication no
AuthenticationMethods publickey,keyboard-interactive


    ESC
:wq
ENTER

  3. Challenge

    Configure the Repository, Then Install and Initialize the Google Authenticator 

    sudo yum install https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm

    Install Google Authenticator

    sudo yum install google-authenticator

    Initialize Google Authenticator

    sudo google-authenticator

  4. Challenge

    Further SSH configuration 

    sudo vim /etc/pam.d/sshd

    auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

    sudo systemctl restart sshd
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

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