> Introducing a Hawk helped us a lot. Tools like Hawk and fail2ban are quite > useful, actually only thinks like that have good impact on the bruteforce > attempts. Indeed! I run Fail2Ban not only against SSH, but against SMTP/AUTH and IMAPS/POP3S (the only client mail protocols we support). It's amazing how many dictionary attacks take place against SMTP by persistent spamers! Besides the effect against dictionary attacks, it makes the morning reading of the secure log a pleasant experience. :-) However, moving to a non-standard SSH port has had a profound effect on the attempts. It's a triple whammy for the script kiddies. Find the port if you can, then you get 5 tries at a non-existent username/password before your packets get dropped on the floor, and you are totally blocked from the entire system for an hour. Bob