SSH Secure Shell

What is it, and where may I get a copy of it?

SSH Secure Shell (and Secure FTP) are freely available at the OIT Download Site. This software creates an encrypted tunnel to and from a secure email server (or a web server, using Secure FTP), which protects our campus networking environment as well as your files. Why do I need SSH Secure Shell? UAF's new Email and Web Servers require secure connections to access your mailbox and upload web files. SSH Secure Shell encrypts your email session to protect the campus networking environment.

Note: As of August 22, 2008, SSH to the UAF email service is no longer available from off-campus. If you wish to use SSH to the UAF email service from off-campus, you must use VPN to join the campus address space from outside. VPN software is also available at the OIT Download Site.

How do I use SSH Secure Shell?

You will see two SSH icons that are associated with SSH Secure Shell and Secure FTP. For Secure Shell you will click on the gray icon (on the left). (The yellow file folder icon on the right is for the SSH Secure FTP client, which can be used to tunnel to the webmail server.)

1. Open Secure Shell by double-clicking the gray SSH icon, or by going to Start --> Programs and selecting the SSH Secure Shell program from your Programs menu. You will see the window shown below when the program is opened:

You will click on the Quick Connect button (hilited in the picture above) to login to the email server with Secure Shell.

2. The next step is to fill in the Host Name and User Name text fields appropriately. At Host Name, type in fnabc.email.uaf.edu -- where "fnabc" is replaced with YOUR user name. You will then type just your user name in the User Name field. The Port Number and Authentication Method fields fill in automatically. Then, click the Connect button.

3. When you login in with SSH Secure Shell for the first time from your computer, you may see a dialog box asking if you wish to save the encryption key which identifies your computer to the server. Click on Yes.Then you will see the Enter Password dialog box (shown below). Enter the password you use to access your UAF email account and click OK.

4. Your email box will open in Pine. You may navigate through your mail box using Pine commands. When you are finished with your email session, be sure to quit the Pine program before closing the SSH Secure Shell program.

5. After you quit the Pine program, you may then close the SSH Secure Shell program window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner of the program window.