What is Secure Shell?

• Secure Shell provides a text-mode terminal interface to a server with better security than telnet.  When you log in via telnet, your password is sent in plain text, so theoretically someone with a packet sniffer between your computer and the server could snag your userid and password.  With secure shell your password is encrypted.  It's rather like POP3 (plain text) vs. IMAP (encrypted) mail.  Secure Shell also provides secure ways to transfer files between the server and your computer (sftp and scp).

• For hints, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about Secure Shell, visit the FAQ mirror sites in California or Chicago.

I'd like to try it.

• Use our Java applet client.  It's automatically (and slowly) downloaded via your web browser.  This is particularly handy when you are away from your home computer or you need to tunnel through a firewall.  We have versions for the Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers.

OR

• Download a client program.  Secure Shell is a client-server protocol.  The SSH server program runs on sjpc.org and the client.  program runs on your computer.  Client programs are available for almost any computer. My favorite is ZOC - it's also a good telnet and terminal program.