Connect to your Linux VPS with SSH from Windows, Mac or Linux

SSH (Secure Shell) is how you manage a Linux VPS: an encrypted terminal session to your server. Every modern desktop already includes an SSH client, so there is nothing to buy or install on Windows 10/11, macOS or Linux.

What you need

All three details are in the client area under Services, on your server's page:

• The server's IP address, for example 203.0.113.25.
• The username, which is root on a fresh Linux VPS.
• The root password.

1. Open a terminal

• Windows 10 or 11: open Windows Terminal or PowerShell from the Start menu. The OpenSSH client is built in.
• macOS: open Terminal (Applications → Utilities).
• Linux: open your terminal app. If ssh is missing, install the openssh-client package.

2. Connect

ssh root@203.0.113.25

If your server listens on a different SSH port, add -p and the port number:

ssh -p 2222 root@203.0.113.25

3. Confirm the host key the first time

On the first connection SSH shows the server's fingerprint and asks Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?. Type yes and press Enter. Your computer saves the key in ~/.ssh/known_hosts and will warn you if it ever changes.

4. Enter the password

Paste or type the root password and press Enter. Nothing appears on screen while you type. That is normal. When you see a prompt such as root@node-linux-1234:~#, you are in.

Using PuTTY instead (Windows)

If you prefer a graphical client, install PuTTY from its official site (putty.org links to the download page).

1. In Host Name, enter the IP address. Leave Port at 22 unless you changed it.
2. Under Saved Sessions, type a name and click Save so you do not have to retype it.
3. Click Open, accept the host key, and log in as root.

Save a shortcut

Typing the IP every time gets old. Create or edit ~/.ssh/config on your computer (on Windows it is C:\Users\<you>\.ssh\config):

Host myvps
    HostName 203.0.113.25
    User root
    Port 22
    ServerAliveInterval 60

Now ssh myvps is enough. ServerAliveInterval stops idle sessions from being dropped by home routers.

Troubleshooting

• Connection timed out: the server is stopped, the IP is wrong, or a firewall is dropping port 22. Check the server is running in the client area.
• Connection refused: the server answered but nothing listens on that port. SSH may be stopped or on another port.
• Permission denied: wrong username or password, or password logins are disabled and you need your key.
• REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED: expected after an OS reinstall. Remove the old key with ssh-keygen -R 203.0.113.25 and connect again. If you did not reinstall, stop and contact support before continuing.

For a step-by-step checklist, see Fix SSH "connection refused" and "timed out" errors.

Next steps

• First steps after your Linux VPS is ready
• Set up SSH keys so you no longer need the password
• Create a sudo user on Linux