>> 1. Change the default port > I could do that, but if they already know about it, a simple port scan and > they'll probably find it again. Plus I gotta go tell all my client > programs the new port and I don't know how to do that on most of them (what > a hassle). If you're talking about people who are just scanning your machine and then doing brute force on the port, changing the port likely will solve that since these are just automated robots. A human might actually do a portscan, but just a port change will probably stop your security logs from going crazy. Of course the hassle part may be a show-stopper here. :) >> 2. use only SSH protocol 2 > got it. >> 3. Install some brute force protection which can automatically ban an IP >> on say 5 / 10 failed login attempts > The only software I know that could do this isn't supported anymore > (trisentry) or is too confusing and I don't know it yet (snort). > Suggestions? denyhosts is pretty widely used. You could probably also make use of iptables. >> 4. ONLY allow SSH access from your IP, if it's static. Or signup for a >> DynDNS account, and then only allow SSH access from your DynDNS domain >> > Yeah my home account is on dynamic IP. I'd love to setup the firewall to > only allow my home computer. You're talking about these guys? > http://www.dyndns.com/ never used them before, but it looks like a good > idea. Especially since it's free (for 5 hosts) if I read correctly. Ray