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Secure Shell

The secure shell programs (ssh, scp, ...) provide a layer of security for computers communicating with each other.  Encryption is used to reduce the chances that hackers, network snoops, and people with too much time on their hands break into your computer or steal your identity.  Ssh is required to log into many supercomputers in the U.S.  Scp is required to transfer files.

If you are using some flavor of UNIX, check to see if ssh and scp are already on your computer.  If you are using Windows, there are several commercial, shareware, and freeware versions available on the web.  The OpenSSH project provides information and pointers for a variety of operating systems.

For Windows, get the file sshzip.exe, which is a self extracting zip file.  The file and directions for use are found at http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty.  Always download the latest version.  This protocol is always under scrutiny by the hacker and security communities.  Some amazing ways of circumventing ssh have been found in earlier versions, including quite recent versions.  If your copy is older than 12/1/2001, you might want to upgrade.

The program pscp corresponds to scp on most UNIX systems.  Pscp only works from a MS-DOS Prompt window.  It is not a graphics program.

If you are using Windows, you might want to install ZoneAlarm, too.  This is a pretty good software firewall.  There is a free version that is highly rated.

Cheers,
Craig C. Douglas

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