N900 - How to ssh into N900 using OpenSSH

Since the Nokia N900 runs on Maemo, Debian based Linux, it also offers open source programs. The secure shell is one of open source gems. Maemo offers the OpenSSH variety of secure shell.

OpenSSH on Maemo not only offers encrypted secure remote shell, it also comes with functions that runs like the desktop version. Such as ssh socks 5 tunneling, that can be used to encrypt traffic transmit of the programs that supports socks 5 proxy.

Here's how to do it :

1. Install "OpenSSH Client and Server" package from "Menu" --> "More" then "App manager" icon
2. Open "X Terminal" command line app
3. Become root by executing,
   
   
   

   sudo gainroot

4. If this is the first time becoming root, give the user a password so that we know what to type when ssh ask for a password :p
   
   
   

   passwd user

5. Start the ssh server for the first time :
   
   
   

   /etc/init.d/ssh restart

6. The N900 IP can get it by executing :
   
   
   

   ifconfig

   in the command line and interface "wlan0" is the wireless interface. Take note of the IP address.
7. To access N900 using ssh, execute secure shell like any other ssh client on desktop. e.g.
   
   
   

   ssh user@IP-of-N900

A side note, this is how to secure SSH service on N900 by editing /etc/ssh/sshd_config :

• Change the default ssh listening port 22 to other port. e.g. 22222
  
  
  

  Port 22222

• only allow "user" (the default username that runs N900) to login through ssh, and not any user (root is 1 of the any user)
  
  
  

  AllowUsers user

• allow only public key authentication,
  
  
  

  PermitEmptyPasswords no

  and
  
  
  

  PubkeyAuthentication yes

• prevent brute force attack,
  
  
  

  MaxAuthTries 6

• disable root login,
  
  
  

  PermitRootLogin no

• disable empty password login,
  
  
  

  PermitEmptyPasswords no

There are more options available, read it by executing the below command in a linux box, not N900 :

man sshd_config

Au Revoir !!!