Deleting SSH Keys

The process of deleting SSH keys involves locating and removing the public key file from the remote server. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Log into the Remote Server

You need to have administrative access to the remote server to delete SSH keys for a user. Log in using SSH with an account that has the necessary permissions.

ssh username@remote_server_ip

Step 2: Locate the SSH Directory

SSH key files are typically stored in the user’s home directory within a hidden folder called .ssh. Navigate to this directory.

cd ~/.ssh

Step 3: Identify the Key to Delete

Inside the .ssh directory, you’ll find files with names like id_rsa.pub, id_ecdsa.pub, or id_ed25519.pub. These files correspond to the public keys associated with the user. Identify the key you want to delete.

Step 4: Delete the Key

Use a text editor or command-line tools like rm to delete the public key file associated with the user.

rm id_rsa.pub

Step 5: Verify Deletion

To confirm that the key has been deleted, attempt to list the contents of the .ssh directory again.

ls -l

The deleted key should no longer appear in the directory listing.

Step 6: Restart SSH Service (Optional)

In some cases, it may be necessary to restart the SSH service for the changes to take effect.

sudo service ssh restart

Secure Shell (SSH) keys are a fundamental part of modern authentication and secure communication between computers over a network. SSH keys provide a secure way to access remote servers and perform various administrative tasks. However, managing SSH keys is essential to maintain the security of your systems. In some cases, you may need to delete an SSH key for a user. This article will walk you through the process of deleting SSH key pairs, covering every aspect of it.