Basic Linux SSH Setup

I need a quick, clean SSH configuration on my Linux machine so I can reliably manage a remote server from the terminal. At the moment nothing is configured—no keys, no tweaks—just the default install. Your job is to walk me through (or remotely handle) everything that’s required so I can log in, run commands, and feel confident that the connection is secured correctly.

I’ll be using the connection exclusively for remote server management, so best-practice hardening is a must—fail2ban, correct permissions, the right port choices, and whatever else you’d normally tighten. I’m still on the fence about password-less login; if you think SSH keys are the smarter move, show me why and set them up.

Deliverables
• Working SSH access from my workstation to the target machine
• Clear explanation—or short set of commands in a text file—so I can recreate the setup on a second box
• Verification that login, sudo, and basic maintenance tasks function as expected without exposing the server

If you’ve done dozens of these before, this should be a breeze. Let’s get it done today.