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This shows you the differences between the selected revisions of the page.
| 2009-03-01 | 2009-10-26 | ||
| not only ssh (martin) | 4.2.4 bug 273 (martin) | ||
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| + | ====== A word of warning ====== | ||
| + | Like any security or cryptographic product, there are a number | ||
| + | of concerns that should be addressed. To use WinSCP securely, you should understand how the program works and the concepts involved. Improper usage is often | ||
| + | insecure usage, so please be sure to read the manual completely. | ||
| + | ===== Host Security ===== | ||
| + | The security of the computer running WinSCP is a serious | ||
| + | concern. Trojan Horse and Backdoor programs can steal authentication credentials such as passwords and [[public_key#private|private keys]] | ||
| + | that have been stored or entered on the computer. Public computers | ||
| + | often have session monitoring software--including key loggers--or other malicious software. | ||
| + | |||
| + | WinSCP can support SSH "keyboard-interactive" authentication | ||
| + | methods if offered by the server. With keyboard-interactive | ||
| + | authentication, the server can prompt for special credentials such | ||
| + | as a S/Key one-time password or RSA SecurID generated value. These | ||
| + | "disposable" credentials are preferable if you must use a public | ||
| + | computer. Contact your system administrator to find out if any form | ||
| + | of one-time authentication is offered. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Stored Credentials ===== | ||
| + | WinSCP supports storing passwords with saved sessions. This is | ||
| + | provided as a convenience, and is not recommended, unless protected by [[master_password|master password]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you need to be | ||
| + | able to log in without reentering your credentials, the recommended | ||
| + | method with SSH is to use public key authentication and protect your private | ||
| + | key with a pass phrase. The SSH Key Agent provided by PuTTY, Pageant, | ||
| + | can store the decrypted key in memory, allowing you to enter your | ||
| + | credentials once and continue using them until you close down the | ||
| + | agent or log off of Windows entirely. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Saved passwords, unless protected by [[master_password|master password]], are stored in a manner that they can easily be | ||
| + | recovered. It is not possible to securely encrypt passwords in a way | ||
| + | that still allows for automatic use. Do not use the save password | ||
| + | feature if you are not absolutely sure of the physical and | ||
| + | electronic security of the system on which you are storing | ||
| + | passwords. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Password storing can be [[administration|restricted by system administrator]]. | ||