Keeping your data secure is important and Secure Shell, SSH for short, is an important communications protocol that helps keep your data away from prying eyes.
When TTerm for iPad® makes the initial SSH connection to a new host it will display a warning message questioning the hosts identity. This is expected, as TTerm for iPad has never encountered the host before and needs to get your approval to make the connection. If you decide to go ahead and connect the host and its SSH key are added to a list of known, approved hosts and TTerm for iPad will subsequently connect without complaint.
Changed Host Keys
Sometimes the host's (RSA) key may have changed. There are perfectly legitimate reasons for this, perhaps the keys are regenerated on a regular basis as part as part of a security routine, or a host has had it's settings modified. More ominously a key may be different due to a security issue such as a man-in-the-middle attack. This kind of attack is where a third party pretends to be your intended partner in a communication and intercepts your private traffic. The impostor might be residing at the correct IP address but the system will be different and posses a different SSH key.
By default TTerm for iPad enforces strict security, meaning it will only allow a connection to a host system that it's familiar with. So, when TTerm for iPad encounters a host whose key is different to the one it was expecting you will be greeted with a warning message. If you weren't expecting this, it might be an excellent time to contact your system administrator and ask a few questions. Otherwise, accept the connection and the list of known hosts is updated for future connections.
If you REALLY have to, you can turn off strict security in the communications settings, but we don't recommend it for normal operation. Of course, secure protocols are but one small part of securing your communications - take further steps by using strong passwords, being aware of phishing attacks and protecting your physical devices such as your iPad.
This applies to all versions of TTerm for iPad and to communication over both SSH and Telnet (via SSH tunnel).
TTerm for iPad® is a range of comprehensive enterprise grade terminal emulation apps for iPad device.
Built with the robust and proven emulations that our Windows products are renowned for, TTerm for iPad is a cost-effective investment for businesses looking for an iPad-compatible terminal emulator.
For product information and technical specifications, visit the TTerm for iPad product page or find us on the App Store!
