Secure Connections 

OpenSSH build, and the CuteFTP build number (located under Help > 

About). 

Creating SSH2 key pairs 

T

O CREATE YOUR OWN 

P

RIVATE AND 

P

UBLIC KEY FOR 

SSH2 

CONNECTIONS

1.  From the menu, choose Tools > Global Options > Security > SSH2 Security 

 and click on the Create identity file button. 

2. Choose 

an 

RSA or DSA Key Type. 

3. Select 

Next. 

4.  Enter the same passphrase in the Passphrase and Confirm Passphrase boxes. The 

passphrase can be any combination of characters and spaces.   

5. Select 

Next. 

6. In 

the 

Private key filename box, type or click the browse button to select a path 

where you want to store your private key.  

7.  Type a name for the key at the end of the path.    

8. In 

the 

Public key filename box,  enter the path where you want to store your 

public key. Make sure the filename extension is .pub and the file name matches. 

9. Choose 

a 

Key length between 1024 and 4096 bits. Shorter keys are faster but less 

secure; longer keys are more secure but slow connections. 

10. Select Finish. CuteFTP generates the keys. Longer keys take more time to generate. 

11. CuteFTP displays the path and name of the keys. If you want CuteFTP to use the 

keys just generated, select Yes.  

12. Select OK. 

Note: 

For added security, clear the Passphrase and Confirm passphrase 

fields in the SSH2 Security page.  CuteFTP then prompts for the 

identity file's secret key passphrase when required for connection to a 

SFTP site. 

Note: 

CuteFTP only supports two algorithms for SSH2 keys ssh dss (DSA) and 

ssh rsa (RSA). A DSA key is required for SSH2, an RSA key is 

recommended.  

Learning About SSH2 

When you connect with SSH2 there are two components or layers involved: the Transport 

and Authentication layers.  

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