Sometimes you will have to enter commands on your hosting server that cannot be done through your browser. For that purpose, you can use SSH (Secure SHell). It will enable you to login to the server over a secure connection and enter console commands.

If you are using Windows, we recommend using Putty SSH Client

(If you are using Linux or Mac OS, you just use the builtin command ssh) 

Download Putty.exe here and save it somewhere on your computer

Start Putty and enter the server IP address or host name (IE: www.mypageofmanythings.com)

Click 'open' to start the connection

If this is the first time you are connecting to this server, you will be promted to accept the server's key. Just click 'ok'. You can learn more about this security feature by reading note #2 below.

You will now be presented with a login prompt as shown in this image

Enter the username and password that was provided to you by your webhost. If you do not have this information (anymore) you must contact the support department of you webhost.

You are now logged in and ready to type your commands !

Note #1 : You may have to change to the root account before you are allowed to make certain changes. You can do this by typing the command 'su' (without the quotes), and then enter the root password.

Note #2 : SSH, or Secure SHell encrypts your data connection and thus protects it from sniffing and other attacks. It also checks to make sure you are connecting to the server you think you are connecting to. This last feature is done using the key you had to accept the first time you connected to the server. This encryption key works as a fingerprint for this server and allows the SSH client to determine if the server is still the same as last time.