How can I strengthen SSH security and privileged access control in Linux

Strengthening SSH security and privileged access control in Linux involves several key strategies. Here are some best practices to enhance your system's security:

Strengthening SSH Security

1. Disable Root Login

• Action: Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config and set PermitRootLogin no. This forces users to log in with their own accounts and use sudo for elevated privileges[1][2][4].

2. Use Key-Based Authentication

• Action: Generate strong RSA keys (e.g., RSA 4096) using ssh-keygen. Ensure that the .ssh directory is secure, ideally owned by root or a trusted group[1][2].

3. Disable Empty Passwords

• Action: Set PermitEmptyPasswords no in /etc/ssh/sshd_config. This prevents users from logging in without a password[4].

4. Limit Authentication Attempts

• Action: Set a low value for MaxAuthTries (e.g., four attempts) to mitigate brute-force attacks[1].

5. Implement Idle Timeout