Securing MikroTik Routers with SSH Keys
MikroTik routers are versatile networking devices, but they must be properly secured like any other critical infrastructure. Using SSH keys to access your MikroTik router is one of the most effective ways to secure it. This blog post walks you through the steps to configure SSH key-based authentication on MikroTik routers with practical examples.
Why Use SSH Keys?
SSH keys provide stronger security than password-based authentication by leveraging public-private key cryptography. Some benefits include:
• Enhanced Security: Passwords are vulnerable to brute-force attacks, while SSH keys are nearly impossible to crack with today’s computing power.
• Automation: SSH keys are ideal for automated scripts because they eliminate the need to input passwords manually.
• Convenience: Once set up, you can log in without typing a password.
Generating SSH Keys
The first step is to generate a key pair on your local machine. This example uses ssh-keygen on Linux/macOS. On Windows, you can use tools like PuTTYgen or the OpenSSH client.
Steps to Generate a Key Pair:
1. Open a terminal and run:
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 2048
• -t rsa: Specifies the RSA key type.
• -b 2048: Sets the key length to 2048 bits.
2. Save the key pair to a file when prompted (e.g., ~/.ssh/id_rsa).
You can also add a passphrase for an extra layer of security.
3. Locate your public key file
(usually ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub).
If you need help
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-create-ssh-keys-with-openssh-on-macos-or-linux
Adding SSH Keys to MikroTik Router
1. Access the MikroTik Router
Log in to your router using WinBox or via SSH with your existing credentials.
2. Upload the Public Key
Copy your public key to the MikroTik router using SCP:
scp ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub admin@<router-ip>:/key.pub
Replace <router-ip> with your MikroTik router’s IP address.
3. Import the Public Key
Once the key is uploaded, log in to the MikroTik CLI and import the key:
/user ssh-keys import public-key-file=key.pub user=admin
This command associates the public key with the specified user (in this case, admin).
4. Remove the Uploaded Key File
For security purposes, delete the uploaded key file:
/file remove key.pub
Testing the Configuration
1. Log out of the router and attempt to log in again using SSH:
ssh admin@<router-ip>
If configured correctly, the router will authenticate you using your private key without asking for a password.
Disabling Password Authentication (Optional)
To enforce key-based authentication and disable password logins:
1. Open the MikroTik CLI and run:
/ip ssh set allow-none-crypto=no always-allow-password-login=no
2. Confirm the settings with:
/ip ssh print
Best Practices
• Backup Your Private Key: Store your private key securely. If you lose it, you’ll be locked out of the router.
• Use Strong Key Encryption: Always use a key length of at least 2048 bits.
• Limit User Permissions: Create separate users for different tasks and assign minimal privileges.
Conclusion
SSH key-based authentication significantly enhances the security of your MikroTik router. By following the steps in this guide, you can eliminate the risks associated with password-based logins while streamlining access for authorized users. For more advanced configurations, explore MikroTik’s scripting features to automate routine tasks securely.
Happy networking!
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