Hi All-

After much reading, I have come to the conclusion that the technique of creating a key with no passphrase is not something I want. With that said, I have already given my key to someone. When I do a ssh-keygen -p, I can change(add) a password to this key. First question, does this change the password on the .pub key that I pass out also? Next question, anyone have some good info on how I automate ssh, by using scp, without having a passphrase. I understand you have to have ssh-agent running, I have added my key with ssh-add, what is the next step?

TIA!
M

If you have ssh set to use keys without a passphrase, you don't need ssh-agent, it should work fine. The agent is needed when you do have a passphrase and don't want to enter it every time.

Iain.

Also I don't believe there is a passphrase on the public key. Its just a file that has a random string of characters that composes the key used to encrypt data sent to you. Then when you want to read it you use your passphrase to decrypt your private key so you can decrypt it. No?


--tarballedtux