OpenSSH is set of tools that can be used to connect and manage the remote network computers using SSH protocol. Unlike other communication tools such as telnet, rcp, rlogin and ftp, OpenSSH provides a strong encrypted connectivity between network computers. OpenSSH encrypts all traffic (including passwords) to effectively eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks. Additionally, OpenSSH provides secure tunneling capabilities and several authentication methods, and supports all SSH protocol versions.
OpenSSH is developed and maintained by OpenBSD project, which is run its development only via donations. The OpenSSH includes the following tools.
– ssh, a replacement for rlogin, rsh and telnet.
– scp, a replacement for rcp.
– sftp, a replacement for ftp to copy files between computers.
– sshd, the SSH server daemon.
– ssh-keygen, a tool to inspect and generate the RSA, DSA and Elliptic Curve keys.
– ssh-agent and ssh-add, utilities to ease authentication by holding keys ready and avoid the need to enter passphrases every time they are used.
– ssh-keyscan, which scans a list of hosts and collects their public keys.
OpenSSH 6.5, a feature- focused version, has been released with many new features, bug fixes and security enhancements. You can find list of detailed new features and bug fixes in the Official announcement page. All OpenSSH users are recommended to upgrade to OpenSSH 6.5 as soon as possible.
