Turn SSH / Shell Access On or Off for Users in WHM

What is shell access?

The shell is a text window where you type commands to a server. SSH (Secure Shell) is the safe way to reach that window from your own computer. Shell access is powerful. A careless or bad user could cause problems, so you should give it only to people who need it.

cPanel has a few shell types:

• Disabled means the user cannot log in with SSH.
• Jailed Shell means the user can use SSH but only sees their own files.
• Normal Shell gives more freedom. Use it only for people you fully trust.

Using Manage Shell Access

1. Log in to WHM.
2. Search for Manage Shell Access and open it. It is under Account Functions.
3. You see a list of all accounts.
4. Find the account.
5. Pick the shell type from the drop-down next to the name.
6. Click Save or Update.

Using Modify an Account

1. Search for Modify an Account and open it.
2. Choose the account and click Modify.
3. Scroll to Shell Access.
4. Tick the box to allow SSH, or untick it to block SSH.
5. Click Save.

Change it for many users at once

Packages can set shell access too. When you create a package, tick or untick Shell Access. Accounts on that package follow it.

Check

1. Open a terminal on your computer.
2. Run:

ssh username@your-server-address

This tries to log in as that user. If SSH is on, you are asked for a password. If it is off, you get an error such as "Permission denied" or a message that the account has no shell.

Warning: When you turn SSH off for a user, any tool they use that needs SSH, such as a deploy script, will stop working. Tell them first.

On shared hosting, Hostvento controls this setting. Open a support ticket to ask for access.

Quick recap

• The shell is a text window for commands.
• Use Manage Shell Access or Modify an Account.
• Choose disabled, jailed or normal shell.
• Test with ssh username@server.