Disable SSH Login for the Root User

We’ll look at how to prevent SSH root login to your server in this post.

Direct root access is possible without any limitations, which is a significant security flaw. Hackers can use this as an open chance to brute force your root password and, in the event that it can be guessed, get access to your server. It is necessary to deactivate the SSH login for this reason.

Steps to disable SSH login for the Root User are :

1) Login to the server through SSH.

Note: You need to get more than one terminal access to the server because in case one connection gets lost you can recover and get access to the server with the other one.

2) Open the file “/etc/ssh/sshd_config” (SSH configuration file) in any of the text editor using the command :

vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config

3) Locate the directive PermitRoootLogin using the command :

#PermitRootLogin yes

3) Uncomment this line and change the directive to No as:

PermitRootLogin no

4) Save and close the file. Restart the SSH and save the changes by executing any one of the commands below :

/etc/init.d/sshd restart

systemctl restart sshd

service sshd restart

That’s it.

Now onwards, any attempt to SSH to the server with the root account will automatically be denied.

Now, you will not be able to SSH to the server with the root account.

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