Interview Questions/Phone Screen/SSH Keys vs Password Authentication
BeginnerPhone
1 min

SSH Keys vs Password Authentication

SecurityLinuxNetworking
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Interview Question

Why are SSH key pairs generally preferred over passwords for server access?

Key Points to Cover
  • Stronger cryptographic security; not guessable like passwords
  • Supports passphrases and agents; no credential reuse
  • Easier to rotate/revoke via authorized_keys
Evaluation Rubric
Explains stronger security properties40% weight
Mentions rotation/revocation benefits30% weight
References passphrases/agents30% weight
Hints
  • 💡authorized_keys, ssh-agent, passphrase.
Potential Follow-up Questions
  • How do you disable password login in sshd?
  • What is SSH certificate auth?
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