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09.26.2008 at 07:33PM PDT, ID: 23767872
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passwordless ssh, user able to sudo?

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9.3
I am attempting to 'harden' my server as much as possible. One step that I have read in articles is to not allow remore 'root' login via ssh.

So, I plan to not allow ssh login for any but my 'admin' account.

To further enhance security, I have read that working with passwordless ssh via rsa keys to be the best. There are many posts here on EE and other sites that explain in detail how to do this.

My questions:

Is using passwordless ssh login really more secure? I am thinking in terms of the physical box and the connection itself. The sensitive areas of the server are to be ran in encrypted partitions; so will logging in for admin this way really be a benefit in terms of security?

Also, in the past I have always logged in via ssh as root to do core admin tasks, and as other users for site or application admin, so the notion of 'su' or 'sudo' in a server environment is a little new to me. If I am logging in via passwordless ssh, and my 'admin' account performs root tasks via 'sudo' or su-, will my 'admin' password still work since root in essence has no login? (sorry to be such a noob here - maybe I just need another coffee??)
 
Accepted Solution by chingmd:

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Expert Comment by Tintin:

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